US defence technology firm Shield AI said on Wednesday it has secured a contract from the Indian Army to supply its V-BAT unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) along with licences for its Hivemind autonomy software, marking a significant step in India’s efforts to induct advanced autonomous military platforms.
The selection, made under emergency procurement, covers the acquisition of V-BAT vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft and the integration of Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software into the platform, said reports.
As part of the deal, the Indian Army will also receive licences for the Hivemind software development kit (SDK), which allows armed forces and approved partners to develop and test mission-specific autonomy applications.
According to Shield AI, the Hivemind system enables defence platforms to sense, decide and act autonomously in complex and contested environments.
It is designed to allow unmanned systems to adapt to changing conditions, avoid threats and complete missions with minimal human input.
The software kit included in the contract is intended to support the sovereign development of autonomous capabilities within India, with select Indian partners expected to use it to build solutions tailored to local operational requirements.
“V-BAT itself is a Group 3 unmanned aircraft with a ducted-fan design and vertical take-off and landing capability, allowing it to operate without runways. With an endurance of over 12 hours and a heavy-fuel engine, it is designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in difficult terrain and high-threat environments,” the company said.
The firm added that the system’s enclosed rotor and single-engine configuration enables launch and recovery from confined locations such as ship decks, rooftops and remote forward areas.
Shield AI said the platform is well-suited for operations across India’s varied geography, from high-altitude regions to coastal areas, offering long-endurance surveillance with a lower logistical footprint compared to larger drones.
The contract also builds on an existing industrial partnership in India. In December 2025, JSW Defence began construction of a facility for next-generation unmanned aerial systems at Maheshwaram near Hyderabad as part of its collaboration with Shield AI.
The facility is intended to support domestic manufacturing of the V-BAT and serve as a global production hub, aligning with India’s broader defence indigenisation goals.
