JSW Defence has begun construction of a $90-million facility in Hyderabad, developed in partnership with Shield AI to produce the V-BAT VTOL unmanned aerial system domestically. Located in the Maheshwaram Electronics Manufacturing Cluster, the plant will manufacture, assemble, and test the reconnaissance-focused aircraft, with production slated to start in late 2026. The program includes a transfer-of-technology agreement enabling JSW to develop a local supply chain and expand workforce capabilities. The V-BAT, used by the US Marine Corps and Coast Guard, features a fixed-wing airframe with vertical takeoff and landing capability. It can be deployed in 20 minutes by a two-person team, carries up to 25 pounds of payload, weighs 125 pounds, and operates up to 20,000 feet with a top speed of 56 miles per hour.
