The Ukraine war has rewritten the rules of modern warfare, transforming battlefields into live laboratories for unmanned and autonomous systems. From low-cost quadcopters to long-endurance surveillance platforms operating under relentless electronic warfare (EW), the conflict has demonstrated that drones are no longer force multipliers on the margins but central instruments of combat power. Taking note of these lessons, the Indian Army has moved decisively to strengthen its unmanned aerial capabilities, selecting the combat-proven V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone developed by U.S.-based deep-tech firm Shield AI.
In a landmark announcement on January 28, Shield AI revealed that the Indian Army has selected its V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems along with licenses for the company’s proprietary Hivemind autonomy software development kit (SDK). The decision underscores India’s growing emphasis on autonomy, resilience, and survivability in contested environments, reflecting hard-earned insights from recent global conflicts.
According to Shield AI, the deal goes beyond a conventional platform purchase. “In addition to the procurement of V-BAT aircraft, the deal includes the licensing of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software development kit (SDK),” the company said in a statement. Hivemind enables defence systems to sense, decide, and act autonomously, allowing platforms to adapt to dynamic environments, avoid threats, and complete missions without direct human intervention. Crucially for India, the SDK allows sovereign development, deployment, and evaluation of mission autonomy across platforms. It will also be made available to select Shield AI partners in India to develop autonomous solutions tailored specifically for Indian operational needs.
This approach aligns closely with the Indian government’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative and its broader push for defence self-reliance. By combining imported, battle-tested technology with domestic manufacturing and software development, New Delhi aims to reduce long-term import dependence while enabling scaled deployment across the armed forces.
The V-BAT itself is a Group 3 VTOL unmanned aerial system featuring a distinctive single-engine ducted-fan design. According to Shield AI, it offers more than 12 hours of endurance and is powered by a heavy-fuel engine, making it suitable for extended operations in austere environments. Unlike conventional fixed-wing drones, the V-BAT does not require a runway, a critical advantage for operations in rugged terrain, dense urban areas, or forward-deployed positions.
Sarjan Shah, Shield AI’s managing director for India, emphasized the strategic nature of the partnership. “Shield AI has been an early mover in investing deeply in India, forging strategic partnerships to bring sovereign defence capabilities to the nation,” he said, highlighting the company’s long-term commitment to the Indian market.
That commitment is already taking tangible shape. In December 2025, JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd. began construction of a next-generation unmanned aerial systems facility at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad as part of its strategic partnership with Shield AI. Backed by a $90 million investment, the facility is expected to enable large-scale domestic production of V-BAT drones to meet Indian Armed Forces requirements, while also serving as a global manufacturing hub.
The backdrop to this acquisition is a rapidly evolving character of war. Airspaces are becoming saturated with layered short- and long-range air defence systems, swarms of small drones, loitering munitions, and persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms. Conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, the Red Sea, and between Armenia and Azerbaijan all point to a future battlefield that is crowded, transparent, and unforgiving.
For India, which faces a technologically ambitious China and a militarily adaptive Pakistan, this environment demands urgent recalibration. Shield AI describes the V-BAT as a next-generation VTOL unmanned aircraft powered by its Hivemind software, combining runway independence with endurance, survivability, and precision targeting. Built to operate in GPS- and communications-denied environments, the platform has demonstrated effectiveness in contested electromagnetic conditions where many legacy systems struggle or fail outright.
The V-BAT’s ducted-fan VTOL design allows it to operate from confined spaces such as urban rooftops, forest clearings, austere forward outposts, or even small boat decks. With an operational range estimated between 350 and 500 kilometres and endurance exceeding 12 hours, it bridges the gap between small tactical drones and larger, more logistically demanding medium-altitude platforms.
Despite being a Group 3 drone, the V-BAT is compact enough to be transported in an SUV, enabling “shoot-and-scoot” operations that enhance survivability. Its payload capacity stands at around 11.3 kilograms, with a service ceiling of approximately six kilometres. The sensor suite includes electro-optical and mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras, providing high-resolution imagery across varied lighting and weather conditions. Notably, the system can be assembled by just two personnel in under 20 minutes.
Operational safety has also been emphasized in its design. With no exposed rotors and a fully unassisted launch and landing mechanism, the V-BAT minimizes risk to operators while maintaining a small expeditionary footprint.
The defining feature, however, is Hivemind AI autonomy. The software enables the V-BAT to operate in GPS-denied and communications-jammed environments, a capability increasingly vital on modern battlefields. When multiple V-BATs can communicate, they are able to function as coordinated teams, sharing sensor data to build a common operating picture even without GPS. This state-estimation framework allows for AI-powered sensing, autonomous flight-path generation, beyond-visual-range operations, and swarm-like coordination, with a single operator managing multiple drones.
For the Indian Army, the immediate application is enhanced ISR. India’s western border with Pakistan and northern frontiers with China present vastly different but equally challenging operational environments. Along the western front, the V-BAT’s VTOL capability enables launches from constrained spaces where conventional runways are impractical, such as in the deserts of Rajasthan or the mountainous terrain of Kashmir. This would allow near-real-time monitoring of infiltration routes, militant movement, and military build-ups, complementing recent Indian drone drills that demonstrated precision targeting under demanding conditions.
In the northern sector, particularly Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, Hivemind’s autonomous navigation is expected to prove critical. Operating at altitudes above 15,000 feet in thin air and sub-zero temperatures is hazardous for manned platforms and challenging for traditional UAVs. Autonomous systems capable of adapting to these extremes can significantly enhance situational awareness against China’s sophisticated surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
By delivering real-time intelligence directly to frontline units, the V-BAT could improve coordination between infantry, armour, and artillery in standoff situations or limited engagements. Importantly, it offers these advantages at a lower cost and logistical burden compared to larger, more complex drones.
Perhaps the most compelling factor behind the Indian Army’s selection is the V-BAT’s combat record. The system has been battle-tested in Ukraine, one of the most electronically contested environments in modern warfare. In August 2024, the V-BAT was field-tested in Ukraine and reportedly demonstrated its ability to negate Russia’s formidable EW advantage by operating effectively in communications- and GPS-denied conditions using a combination of AI and optical sensors.
According to reports, the drones successfully gathered targeting data and transmitted it to artillery units despite intense Russian jamming. A Shield AI team further tested the V-BAT’s EW resilience in Ukraine in June 2025. A Ukrainian military report cited by Defence One noted that the drones continued operating even when other UAVs were rendered inoperable.
“We flew within 1,000 metres of these jammers. No impact on our aircraft. It was wildly successful,” Shield AI president and co-founder Brandon Tseng said, underscoring the platform’s robustness.
The Ukrainian Navy also employed the V-BAT in November 2024 for reconnaissance missions over the Black Sea near the Kinburn Spit, gathering intelligence on Russian movements and logistics. The drones returned safely despite operating in proximity to Russian EW systems. By April 2025, Shield AI announced that its Kyiv-based team had completed more than 130 V-BAT sorties in Ukraine.
Citing Ukraine’s Unmanned System Forces, the company said the V-BAT’s ability to operate in EW-contested environments, combined with its precision targeting, gave Ukrainian forces a decisive edge over adversary systems.
For India, these experiences resonate deeply. As warfare increasingly shifts toward autonomy, resilience, and electronic dominance, the Indian Army’s decision to induct the V-BAT reflects a clear intent to stay ahead of the curve—armed not just with drones, but with the software intelligence to fight and survive in the most demanding battlespaces of the future.
