February 2, 2026 (New Delhi / Global) – The Indian Army has selected the V‑BAT vertical take‑off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) from U.S. defence technology firm Shield AI to enhance its artificial intelligence‑enabled battlefield operations, marking a major step in adopting autonomous ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities in contested environments. Under the deal, the Army will receive V‑BAT aircraft along with licences for Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software and development kit, enabling deeper integration of autonomous mission capabilities tailored to Indian operational requirements.
“India’s selection of V‑BAT and Hivemind reflects a clear understanding of the resilient, expeditionary autonomy modern militaries now require,” said Sarjan Shah, Shield AI’s managing director for India, noting the platform’s suitability for missions from the Himalayas to India’s maritime borders.
The V‑BAT is a Group 3 VTOL unmanned aircraft capable of launching and landing without runways or fixed infrastructure, with more than 12 hours of endurance and flexible payload options for electro‑optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and other ISR equipment. Its Hivemind autonomy stack allows the drone to sense its environment, make decisions and execute missions with limited human input — a critical advantage in GPS‑denied or communication‑degraded theatres.
A key component of the acquisition is the inclusion of the Hivemind software development kit (SDK), which will empower Indian partners and developers to build mission‑specific autonomous functions locally, aligning with India’s broader push for technological sovereignty in defence systems.
In parallel with the procurement, Shield AI and India’s JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd. are advancing a strategic partnership to manufacture V‑BAT drones domestically at a new facility in Hyderabad, backed by approximately $90 million in investment. This production hub is intended to serve not only Indian Armed Forces requirements but also potential export markets, positioning India as a key node in global UAS supply chains.
Strategic Advantages and Operational Impact
- Autonomous ISR at the tactical edge – V‑BAT pairs VTOL flexibility with substantial endurance, permitting persistent surveillance without runways or heavy logistics.
- AI‑driven autonomy with Hivemind – enables mission execution and navigation even in contested, jammed or degraded communication environments.
- Domestic development and adaptation – access to the Hivemind SDK allows Indian developers to tailor autonomous capabilities for local mission profiles.
- Local manufacturing ecosystem – the Hyderabad facility will produce V‑BAT systems and create a supply chain, operator training and maintenance infrastructure.
- Enhanced operational readiness – the system addresses longstanding gaps in tactical UAS capabilities for mountainous, maritime and contested border regions.
Analysts say the Indian Army’s selection of the V‑BAT with AI autonomy underscores a broader shift toward software‑defined and autonomous warfare capabilities — blending high‑end ISR performance with flexible deployment, reduced manpower dependence and localised innovation. As unmanned systems play an increasingly central role in future battlefields, access to advanced autonomy and domestic production may significantly bolster India’s defence readiness and technological self‑reliance.
