US Firm Shield AI, Linked To Israel's Gaza Ops, To Supply V-BAT Drones To Indian Army

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 21:09 IST

Under the deal, the Army will receive V-BAT systems along with licences for Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, which will be integrated into the aircraft.

Used by Israel Against Hamas, Shield AI to Supply V-BAT Drones to Indian Army (Photo: X)

Shield AI, the US defence technology company whose autonomous systems have been used by Israeli forces against Hamas, has been selected now by India to supply V-BAT unmanned aircraft to the Indian Army. The deal also includes licences for Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, which will be integrated into the V-BAT platform.

Under the deal, the Army will receive V-BAT systems along with licences for Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software, which will be integrated into the aircraft.

Shield AI’s products have previously been used by Israeli forces against Hamas and are also being used by Ukrainian forces. Its Nova system reportedly helped the Israeli Defence Forces locate Hamas tunnel networks.

What is V-BAT system?

V-BAT is a Group 3 vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft with a ducted-fan design, over 12 hours of endurance and a heavy-fuel engine. It is designed for electronic warfare environments and provides intelligence, surveillance and targeting at lower cost than larger drones.

Its enclosed rotor allows safe launches and recoveries from ships, rooftops and remote locations. Under the partnership, Hivemind will act as an autonomous pilot on V-BAT, enabling AI-driven perception and beyond-visual-range operations.

Role of Hivemind autonomy software

The deal includes licensing of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software development kit (SDK). Hivemind allows defence systems to sense, decide and act independently, helping platforms adapt to changing environments, avoid threats and complete missions without human control.

The SDK will support sovereign development, deployment and testing of autonomous missions. It will also be made available to selected Shield AI partners in India to develop autonomous solutions designed and built within the country.

Sarjan Shah, Managing Director for India at Shield AI, said the company has invested early in India and built strategic partnerships to support sovereign defence capabilities. He said India’s selection of V-BAT and Hivemind shows an understanding of the need for resilient and expeditionary autonomy across India’s varied terrain. He added that V-BAT’s runway-independent operations and long-endurance intelligence capabilities make it suitable for missions from the Himalayas to coastal regions.

Manufacturing in India

The agreement builds on Shield AI’s wider commitment to India. In December 2025, JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd began constructing a facility at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad to manufacture next-generation unmanned aerial systems under a partnership with Shield AI.

The $90 million investment will enable large-scale domestic production of V-BATs for Indian Armed Forces and also serve as a global manufacturing hub.

What we know about Shield AI?

Founded in 2015, Shield AI develops intelligent systems to protect service personnel and civilians. Its products include V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise and Hivemind Vision. The company operates across the United States, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific, supporting defence operations worldwide.

News world US Firm Shield AI, Whose Weapons Helped Israel Against Hamas, To Supply V-BAT Drones To Indian Army

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