The Indian Army has decided to buy new unmanned drones from a US defence company called Shield AI. These drones are named V-BAT and they come with an AI software called Hivemind. The drones do not need a runway to fly. They can go straight up and come straight down. They can stay in the air for more than 12 hours. Because of this, they are very useful in risky areas where fighting conditions are tough. The Army can use them to watch enemy movement, collect information and support missions in dangerous zones.
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How V-BAT drones
The V-BAT drone is made for hard places. It can fly from small spots like ship decks, building rooftops and areas close to the border. This makes it useful in mountains, deserts and coastal regions of India. Along with the drones, the Army will also get licences for the Hivemind software. This software allows drones to “sense, decide and act” on their own. With this system, drones can change their actions based on the situation, stay away from threats and finish tasks with very little human control. The software also works well when the drone is far away and cannot be seen directly by the operator.
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Drones in India
In December last year, Shield AI teamed up with JSW Defence to build these drones in India. A new factory worth about $90 million is coming up in Hyderabad. This is part of a long-term deal where technology will be shared so Indian companies can make the V-BAT drones locally.
This factory will help meet the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and may also supply drones to other countries in the future. The project supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goal and strengthens local defence manufacturing. Drone production is expected to begin by the end of 2026 and will also create jobs and new supply chains.
