JSW Defence Begins Construction of Next-Gen Military Drone Facility in Hyderabad
The foundation stone was laid by Parth Jindal of the JSW Group in the presence of Telangana industries minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, senior government officials, representatives from Shield AI, and officers from the Indian armed forces.
Hyderabad, December 2: JSW Defence has kicked off construction of a state-of-the-art manufacturing hub for next-generation unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at EMC Maheshwaram on the outskirts of Hyderabad. The facility, being developed in partnership with US defence technology company Shield AI, marks one of India’s most significant technology transfers in the military drone sector.
The JSW Group will invest US$ 90 million to set up a global-compliance-enabled production ecosystem for the V-BAT, a fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) long-endurance ISR platform currently deployed by United States Marine Expeditionary Units. The investment will cover technology licensing, plant construction, supply chain development, and workforce training.
The facility, expected to commence manufacturing by late 2026, will serve both the Indian armed forces and overseas markets, positioning India as a potential global hub for advanced military UAS production.
The foundation stone was laid by Parth Jindal of the JSW Group in the presence of Telangana industries minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu, senior government officials, representatives from Shield AI, and officers from the Indian armed forces.
“One of India’s most significant defence tech transfers”
Parth Jindal said the collaboration with Shield AI “signals a bold new chapter in India’s journey toward self-reliance in next-generation defence technologies,” adding that the V-BAT line will create an end-to-end UAS ecosystem spanning manufacturing, operator training, maintenance, and continued innovation.
Sarjan Shah, Managing Director – India at Shield AI, said JSW’s industrial scale and commitment to strategic technology development made it an ideal partner for expanding the V-BAT’s global footprint.
A game-changing platform for modern warfare
The V-BAT, designed for rapid deployment in contested environments, offers cutting-edge intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Its patented ducted VTOL design reduces logistical footprint and enables forward deployment with minimal infrastructure, making it suitable for special forces, infantry, armoured and artillery units.
Boost for Telangana’s defence ecosystem
The project aligns with Telangana’s ambitions to become a national hub for aerospace and defence manufacturing. It is also expected to create highly skilled jobs, deepen local supply chains and contribute to the centre’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in critical defence technologies.
