Indian Army Chooses Smart V-BAT Drones to Lead Its Autonomous Defense Push

Shield AI’s intelligent unmanned systems bring runway-free flight, long endurance, and advanced autonomy to India’s defense toolkit.

The Indian Army is stepping into a new era of intelligent defense with the selection of V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles from US-based deep-tech company Shield AI. Along with the drones, the Army will also deploy Shield AI’s advanced autonomy software, Hivemind, marking a major leap in India’s use of smart, self-operating military technology.

The V-BAT drones are designed to take off and land vertically, meaning they do not need runways. This makes them especially useful in difficult terrains such as mountains, remote border areas, and coastal regions. Paired with the Hivemind autonomy system, the drones can sense their surroundings, make decisions, and carry out missions with minimal human input, even in complex or hostile environments.

As part of the agreement, the Indian Army will also receive access to Hivemind’s software development kit. This allows Indian teams to design, test, and customize autonomous features locally, ensuring the technology can be adapted to India’s specific operational needs. Select Indian partners will also be able to build mission-focused solutions using the same platform.

Shield AI has been steadily expanding its presence in India. In late 2025, JSW Defense began building a major facility in Hyderabad to manufacture V-BAT drones domestically. Backed by a USD 90 million investment, the site is expected to support large-scale production for India’s armed forces and serve global demand.

With more than 12 hours of endurance and a design built for electronic warfare and surveillance, the V-BAT offers a powerful yet practical unmanned solution. For the Indian Army, this move signals a clear shift toward smarter, more autonomous defense systems designed for the challenges of modern warfare.