India has selected Shield AI to supply V-BAT unmanned aerial systems to the Indian Army, marking a significant step in the service’s adoption of AI-enabled autonomous drone technologies. The agreement includes licenses for Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, which will be integrated into the V-BAT platform to enhance operational effectiveness.
Hivemind functions as the drone’s autonomous pilot, enabling advanced AI-driven sensing, extended-range operations, threat avoidance, and mission execution with minimal human intervention. The deal also provides India with a software development kit (SDK), allowing local teams to design, test, and deploy autonomous mission capabilities across multiple unmanned platforms while fostering indigenous customization and innovation.
The V-BAT is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft featuring a ducted-fan configuration, enabling it to transition seamlessly from hover to forward flight without the need for runways or external launch systems. The drone has a 2.9-meter wingspan and a 2.7-meter length, with a maximum takeoff weight of 73 kilograms, making it suitable for deployment in austere and contested environments.
Configured for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, the V-BAT can carry payloads of up to 18 kilograms and remain airborne for over 13 hours. Its modular architecture supports a range of mission systems, including electro-optical and infrared sensors, synthetic aperture radar, and satellite communications. The agreement builds on Shield AI’s growing footprint in India, including a $90-million production facility being developed by JSW Defence in Hyderabad to manufacture the drones and support Indian Armed Forces requirements.
