The Indian Army has chosen Shield AI to supply its V-BAT unmanned aerial systems, including licenses for the company’s Hivemind AI autonomy software, which will be integrated directly into the platform. Acting as an autonomous pilot, Hivemind enables AI-based sensing, long-range operations, threat avoidance, and fully autonomous mission execution without continuous human intervention.
The contract also provides a software development kit, allowing India to independently develop, test, and deploy autonomous mission applications across multiple platforms, while supporting local development of customized solutions by Indian industry partners.
The V-BAT is a VTOL ducted-fan drone capable of transitioning from hover to forward flight without runways or external launch systems. It features a 2.9-meter wingspan, a length of roughly 2.7 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight of 73 kilograms. The platform can carry up to 18 kilograms of payload and sustain more than 13 hours of endurance, enabling persistent ISR and long-duration mission profiles.
Its modular design allows integration of diverse payloads, including EO/IR cameras, synthetic aperture radar, and satellite communication systems, making it adaptable to a wide range of operational roles.
The agreement builds on Shield AI’s growing footprint in India, highlighted by a $90 million V-BAT production facility under construction in Hyderabad by JSW Defence Pvt. The facility will manufacture drones for the Indian Armed Forces and is supported by a long-term technology transfer framework, enabling domestic production and the development of a robust local supply chain.
