JSW Defence has started constructing a $90-million facility in Hyderabad to locally produce Shield AI’s V-BAT VTOL unmanned aerial system. Situated in the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Maheshwaram, the plant will handle manufacturing, assembly, and testing, with production expected by late 2026. The project includes a long-term transfer-of-technology agreement enabling local production rights and domestic supply-chain development. It will also support compliance programs, licensing, and workforce training. The V-BAT, used by the US Marine Corps and Coast Guard, features a fixed-wing VTOL design, 25-pound payload capacity, and rapid 20-minute deployment by two operators. The 125-pound aircraft uses a 24-horsepower engine, reaches 56 miles (90 kilometers) per hour, and operates at altitudes up to 20,000 feet.
