Hyderabad: JSW Defence has announced the commencement of construction for its next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) facility at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad.
The move marks a major milestone for JSW Defence, part of the US$ 23 billion JSW Group, as it advances its long-term strategy to develop high-end defence manufacturing capabilities in India.
JSW Defence Partners with Shield AI for Next-Gen UAS Production
As part of a strategic collaboration, JSW Defence has partnered with US-based defence technology company Shield AI to manufacture its Group 3 UAS, the V-BAT, under a long-term Transfer of Technology (ToT) licensing agreement.
The partnership enables the company to bring cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems technology to India.
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Under this arrangement, the JSW Group will invest approximately US$ 90 million to set up a global compliance program, develop a world-class manufacturing facility, and train specialised manpower.
The investment is aimed at creating a robust local supply chain and building an advanced infrastructure for the manufacturing, assembly, and testing of the V-BAT system.
Once operational, the facility is expected to support large-scale production of V-BATs to meet the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces and position the site as a global hub for UAS manufacturing.
Foundation Ceremony Marks a Major Step for JSW Defence
The foundation stone of the plant was laid by Parth Jindal of the JSW Group. The ceremony was attended by Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Telangana’s Minister for IT, E&C, and Industries & Commerce, alongside senior state government officials, representatives from Shield AI, and members of the Indian Armed Forces.
Speaking at the event, Parth Jindal said the project marks a significant step in India’s journey towards self-reliance in advanced defence technologies. He highlighted that the collaboration aims to build an integrated ecosystem for unmanned systems in India, covering manufacturing, operator training, MRO, and continuous innovation.
Shield AI’s Managing Director for India, Sarjan Shah, said the partnership reflects a shared vision to strengthen Indo-US defence cooperation. He noted that JSW’s scale and industrial expertise make it a strong partner for expanding the global footprint of the V-BAT platform.
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V-BAT: Advanced UAS Platform with Global Deployments
The V-BAT is a fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) system. It is currently deployed by multiple global defence forces, including the United States Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs).
Designed for tactical missions, V-BAT’s patented ducted architecture offers a compact logistics footprint and rapid deployment capability. Its adaptability allows it to support operations for special forces, infantry, and artillery units in complex or adversarial environments.
Production of the V-BAT at the Hyderabad facility is scheduled to begin by the last quarter of 2026.
