India Unveils ‘Kaala Bhairav’ Combat Drone, Range 3000 Km ,Secures $30 Million Export Deal

New Delhi, August 2025 – India has unveiled its first fully indigenous combat drone, named ‘Kaala Bhairav’, marking a milestone in the country’s push for defense self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The advanced unmanned system has already attracted international attention, securing a $30 million export contract with a South Asian nation.

Developed by Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace, a Bengaluru-based private firm, the Kaala Bhairav represents a significant leap in India’s unmanned aerial capabilities. Unlike earlier drone projects dominated by government research agencies, this platform is entirely industry-driven, highlighting the growing role of startups in India’s defense ecosystem.

High-Endurance, Long-Range Power

The Kaala Bhairav has been designed to perform a wide variety of roles, from surveillance and reconnaissance to precision strike missions. According to the developers, the drone can:

• Stay airborne for up to 30 hours.

• Cover distances of 3,000 km with the support of satellite communication (SATCOM).

• Operate at altitudes of nearly 20,000 feet.

• Carry multiple payloads, including sensors and precision-guided weapons.

Crucially, the platform features AI-enabled autonomy, allowing it to adapt to battlefield situations, make flight adjustments, and even conduct swarm strikes in coordination with other drones.

Strategic Importance

Officials and defense analysts point out that Kaala Bhairav offers performance comparable to advanced imported systems such as the U.S.-made MQ-9 Predator and China’s Wing Loong II, but at only a fraction of the cost. This makes it particularly valuable not only for India’s armed forces but also for potential foreign buyers.

Equipped with indigenous hardware and software, the drone eliminates concerns about hidden vulnerabilities such as remote deactivation or “kill switches,” which are often associated with foreign-origin platforms.

Boost to Defense Exports

India’s defense export sector has been steadily growing, and the $30 million export order for Kaala Bhairav is seen as a major breakthrough. Experts believe it could open the door for further deals with countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that are looking for affordable, high-performance drones.

A New Era for Indian UAVs

While DRDO has developed UAVs such as Rustom and Tapas, they have faced delays and limited operational success. In contrast, Kaala Bhairav is being hailed as a combat-ready platform, developed at a faster pace and with direct market appeal.

“Kaala Bhairav shows that Indian private industry can not only innovate but also deliver world-class defense products with strong export potential,” a senior defense analyst noted.

With its combination of long endurance, advanced AI, and swarm warfare capability, the Kaala Bhairav sets a new benchmark for India’s defense innovation. The export success further signals India’s emergence as a credible global player in unmanned combat aerial systems, strengthening both its strategic autonomy and international defense partnerships.