Source The eurasian time
NEW DELHI — In a major boost to its tactical surveillance and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, the Indian Army has officially moved to procure the American-made V-BAT Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial systems.
The deal, finalized this week under emergency procurement powers, brings a battle-hardened technology to the Indian subcontinent—one that recently gained international attention for its ability to “outfox” sophisticated Russian jamming during the conflict in Ukraine.
The “Jam-Proof” Edge
In the high-intensity electronic environment of Ukraine, many Western and domestic drones have struggled as Russian EW systems severed GPS links and operator communications. However, the V-BAT, developed by U.S.-based Shield AI, has proven remarkably resilient.
Hivemind AI: The drone is powered by the “Hivemind” autonomy stack, which allows it to navigate and complete missions without any reliance on GPS or active communication links.
Targeting Success: In field tests, Ukrainian forces used V-BATs to penetrate deep into contested territory, identifying and relaying coordinates for high-value targets like Russian SAM batteries (including the Buk-M1) even while surrounded by heavy jamming.
Optical Navigation: Instead of satellites, the V-BAT uses onboard sensors and AI to “see” its way through a battlefield, making it nearly impossible to ground through traditional electronic interference.
Tailor-Made for India’s Frontiers
While the V-BAT has been tested in the flatlands of Eastern Europe, its deployment in India focuses on two extreme terrains: the rugged Himalayas and the vast Indo-Pacific coastline.
Feature Specification Impact for India
Launch Mode VTOL (Vertical Take-off) Operates from 15×15 ft clearings in mountains or ship decks.
Endurance 12+ Hours Continuous surveillance over LAC/LOC without frequent refueling.
Footprint 2-Person Portable Easily deployed by forward outposts in Rajasthan or Kashmir.
Engine Heavy-Fuel Simplifies logistics by using standard military-grade fuel.
Manufacturing “Atmanirbhar” (Self-Reliant) Drones
The acquisition is more than a simple purchase; it marks a significant shift toward domestic production. Shield AI has partnered with India’s JSW Defence to establish a 90 million manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.
This facility will not only assemble the V-BAT for the Indian Army but is also designated to become a global production hub. By securing licenses for the Hivemind software development kit (SDK), India is positioning itself to develop its own sovereign autonomous solutions, reducing long-term dependence on foreign hardware.
“V-BAT’s ability to operate without runways and perform in contested environments makes it uniquely suited to provide intelligence from the Himalayas to India’s oceanic borders.”
— Sarjan Shah, Managing Director of Shield AI India
With the first units expected to be operational by the first half of 2026, the Indian Army is closing a critical gap in its “last-mile” aerial intelligence, ensuring that even if the signals go dark, the eyes in the sky stay open.
