In a strategic move to strengthen India’s defense capabilities, JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of the ₹2,017 billion ($24 billion) JSW Group, has announced a partnership with Shield AI, Inc., a prominent U.S. defense technology company. The partnership aims to indigenize and manufacture Shield AI’s “V-BAT,” a Group 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), bringing world-class technology to India.
As part of the collaboration, JSW Group is set to invest around ₹760 crore ($90 million) over the next two years, with ₹550 crore ($65 million) allocated in the first year. This investment will be directed towards establishing a global compliance program, setting up a manufacturing facility, and training manpower to support the V-BAT production in India. This advanced facility will not only serve the Indian Armed Forces but also position India as a global production hub for Shield AI’s V-BAT aircraft.
The V-BAT is a fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS, designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Known for its cutting-edge ISR capabilities, it’s currently in service with various armed forces worldwide, including the United States’ Marine Expeditionary Units. The V-BAT’s unique ducted design allows for rapid deployment and a minimal logistics footprint, providing flexibility for special forces, front-line infantry, and armored units.
“Our collaboration with Shield AI aligns with JSW’s mission to indigenize critical defense technology and support the Indian Armed Forces,” said Parth Jindal, JSW Group. “This partnership will enable us to supply indigenous V-BATs, train flight operators, and provide comprehensive maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services to the Indian defense sector. We’re excited to bring this advanced UAS technology to India.”
Shield AI’s Managing Director for India, Sarjan Shah, emphasized the importance of the collaboration in advancing India’s defense technology. “This partnership has been crafted over multiple years to scale India’s indigenous capabilities in military unmanned systems,” Shah noted.
Brandon Tseng, President and Co-Founder of Shield AI, highlighted the Indo-US strategic defense partnership. “Through this collaboration, we aim to leverage India’s engineering and manufacturing talent to deploy AI-driven UAS technology globally,” he stated, recognizing India’s strategic designation as a Major Defense Partner of the United States.
The JSW-Shield AI partnership marks a pivotal step toward cost-effective, AI-piloted UAS solutions, expanding the defense sector’s capabilities while positioning India as a key player in the global defense technology landscape.
