Pune: Shield AI, a defence technology company specializing in autonomy software and advanced aircraft, has successfully completed a series of demonstrations of its Hivemind autonomy system for the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The trials, held in Himachal Pradesh from August 12 to 14, 2025, mark a significant milestone toward potential adoption of Hivemind on V-BAT aircraft, which are under consideration by the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
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Shield AI Showcases Hivemind in GPS-Denied Environments
During the demonstration, Shield AI’s Nova 2 quadcopter, integrated with Hivemind software, was deployed to showcase both fully autonomous and AI-assisted human-piloted operations.
Over three days of intensive training and live flight trials with Indian Army and Air Force Special Forces, Hivemind proved its mission-readiness in GPS- and communication-denied conditions.
“Autonomy will be a decisive factor in the future of defence, and India has made it clear that it intends to lead,” said Sarjan Shah, Managing Director – India, Shield AI. “With Hivemind, Shield AI is delivering proven, mission-ready autonomy that performs in the most demanding operational environments.”
Hivemind Integration Across Defence Platforms
Shield AI’s Hivemind is a modular autonomy software system designed to empower unmanned systems to carry out complex missions across contested environments.
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It has been successfully integrated into multiple platforms, including the Nova quadcopters, Group 3 UAS V-BAT, MQ-20 Avenger, and even manned platforms like the F-16.
Nova 2, specifically designed for confined and GNSS-denied environments, played a central role in the Himachal Pradesh demonstrations. Insights gained from its deployment have accelerated the integration of Hivemind into larger aerial systems.
Strengthening India’s Defence Through Strategic Partnerships
This milestone builds on Shield AI’s continued expansion in India. In November 2024, the company announced a strategic partnership with JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd. to indigenize and manufacture V-BATs in India.
This collaboration underscores Shield AI’s commitment to supporting India’s defence modernization while boosting indigenous capabilities.
Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defence technology company with a mission to protect service members and civilians through intelligent autonomous systems. Its product portfolio includes the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and Hivemind Vision.
