The Indian Army’s selection of the V-BAT drone system marks a significant step in integrating AI-enabled autonomy into military operations. Featuring vertical takeoff and landing capability, the platform can operate without runways and supports long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The inclusion of Hivemind autonomy software and local development tools enables India to build and refine mission-specific capabilities domestically. Backed by a long-term technology transfer framework and local manufacturing through JSW Defence, the program supports India’s broader objective of strengthening self-reliance while accelerating the adoption of advanced unmanned systems.
