Shield AI Announces Partnership To Build V-BAT Drones In India

Shield AI has announced a strategic partnership with Indian defense company JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd. to build Shield’s V-BAT unmanned aerial systems in India, with components for the drones also to be made in India.

The partnership will see the JSW group invest $90 million over the course of the next two years. $65 million will be spent over the first 12 months to establish JSW’s “global compliance program”, building a manufacturing facility to ensure proper technology licensing, and training of manpower. 

According to Shield AI, this will allow the creation of a local supply chain in addition to an assembly facility for the V-BAT, with the production facility planned to be a global production hub for the drones, including any possible orders for the Indian military. 

The vertical-takeoff-and-landing V-BAT is primarily used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance by multiple users including the United States Marine Corps and the Ukrainian military. Shield AI also uses the V-BAT for its experimentation with swarming autonomy.

A Civilian contractor embarked with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to conduct a V-BAT drone flight aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 24, 2022. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

Parth Jindal of JSW Group said, “Our collaboration with Shield AI is in keeping with our commitment to induct mission-critical technologies for deployment by the Indian Armed Forces and play an integral role in indigenizing defense technology in India. Through this partnership, we will be able to supply indigenous V-BATs at scale, provide flight operator training, and end-to-end maintenance, repair & overhaul (MRO) services to the Indian Armed Forces. The JSW Group has always believed in bringing world class products and services with State-of-the-Art technology into India and this partnership is yet another milestone in this journey.”

“Shield AI is excited to enhance the Indo-US strategic partnership through collaboration with JSW Group, strengthening our commitment to deploy cutting-edge UAS technology globally and harness India’s vast engineering and manufacturing talent. India, designated as a Major Defense Partner by the United States in 2016 and elevated to Strategic Trade Authorization tier 1 status in 2018, is one of only two countries with this designation—the other being the UAE, where Shield AI also has offices,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI’s president and co-founder.

“JSW recognizes the same thing Shield AI does: that Group 3 UAS drones like the V-BAT can accomplish the same missions as many helicopters and larger Group 5 UAS drones for a fraction of the price. As the market shifts from expensive, exquisite aircraft to swarms of lower-cost, AI-piloted UAS drones, this collaboration builds upon Shield AI’s significant U.S. investments, enhances global distribution, and supports continued expansion of U.S. operations.”