India has selected Shield AI to supply V-BAT unmanned aerial systems to the Indian Army, along with licenses for the company’s Hivemind autonomy software, which will be integrated into the V-BAT platform. Hivemind functions as the drone’s autonomous pilot, enabling AI-driven sensing, extended-range missions, threat avoidance, and autonomous mission execution without direct human control.
The agreement also includes a software development kit (SDK) that allows New Delhi to develop, test, and deploy autonomous mission capabilities across multiple platforms, while enabling Indian partners to design and build locally tailored autonomous solutions.
The V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned system featuring a ducted-fan design, allowing it to transition seamlessly from hover to forward flight without the need for runways or external launch equipment. The platform has a 2.9-meter wingspan, a length of about 2.7 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 73 kilograms.
Depending on configuration and environmental conditions, V-BAT can carry payloads of up to 18 kilograms and remain airborne for over 13 hours, making it suitable for persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its modular architecture supports a wide range of payloads, including electro-optical/infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and satellite communications systems.
The deal follows Shield AI’s expanding investment in India, including a $90 million manufacturing facility being developed by JSW Defence Pvt in Hyderabad. The site will produce V-BAT drones for the Indian Armed Forces and is backed by a long-term technology transfer agreement, granting JSW rights to domestic production and the establishment of a localized supply chain.
