India's first indigenous combat unmanned aircraft FWD 200B takes flight

Posted 04 Sep 2024

2 min read

Bengaluru-based firm Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) recently announced successful launch of country’s first indigenously built Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV), FWD 200B.

The development represents India's increasing self-reliance in defence technology and defence indigenization.

Key Features of FWD 200B

It is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UCAV.
It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 102 kg and can carry a payload of 30 kg.
Combat Capabilities: Optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing.
It operates at a cruise altitude of 12,000 feet and can reach up to 15,000 feet.
It has a cruise speed of 152 kmph and a maximum speed of 250 kmph.
It has an endurance of 7 hours and a range of 800 km to ensure extended mission capabilities.
Ideal for short airstrips: The drone requires a runway of just 300 metres.

Initiatives for Defence Indigenization

Policy and Schemes: Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy, ‘Make in India’, notification of ‘Positive Indigenization List’, Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), etc.
Partnership and Global Cooperation: Strategic Partnership Model between India’s private sector and global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), enhanced FDI limits (74% - Automatic Route; 100% - Government Route), etc.
Others: Corporatization of Ordnance Factory Board, Defence Industrial Corridors, SRIJAN Portal, etc.

Related News

Recently, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals.
- DAC is the highest decision-making body on issues related to policy and capital procurement and is chaired by the Union Defence Minister.
99% of the procurement is from indigenous sources under Buy (Indian) and Buy (lndian- Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories.
AoNs have been accorded for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs), Air Defence Fire Control Radars, Dornier-228 aircraft, among others.
- FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all terrain ability, multilayered protections, precision & lethal fires over and real-time situational awareness.