Hyderabad: JSW Defence, which is part of the $23 billion JSW Group, is investing $90 million (approximately Rs 850 crore) to set up a facility to manufacture US-based defence tech player Shield AI’s next-gen Group 3 UAS (unmanned aerial systems) — V-BAT — for military use in Hyderabad.The plant is being set up as part of a long-term licencing agreement with Shield AI for transfer of technology (ToT) to produce defence drones. V-BAT is a fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) drone. The V-BAT, which features a unique patented ducted design and a small logistics footprint, is currently deployed by multiple armed forces worldwide, including the United States Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).The plant, for which JSW broke ground on Tuesday, is coming up over 16 acres at EMC Maheshwaram and will comprise production, repair, testing, administration, and support facilities with a capability to manufacture over 300 V-BATs per annum. The facility is expected to commence manufacturing V-BATs by the last quarter of 2026.JSW Group said the investment will enable it to set up a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for manufacturing, assembling, and testing V-BAT. “This effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub,” it said.Describing the upcoming facility as a new chapter in India’s journey towards self-reliance in next-gen defence technologies, Parth Jindal of JSW Group said, “From manufacturing the globally renowned V-BAT at scale, the facility will lay the foundation for an integrated, end-to-end UAS ecosystem, from advanced manufacturing to operator training, MRO, and sustained innovation and stands among the most significant defence technology transfers to India.“Shield AI managing director Sarjan Shah said the world-class facility will create an indigenous ecosystem for the V-BAT and deepen Indo-US defence collaboration.
