By A Correspondent

Hyderabad (Telangana): In a landmark push for India’s defence self-reliance, JSW Defence Private Limited, on December 2, 2025, broke ground for a next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) manufacturing facility at EMC Maheshwaram near Hyderabad in Telangana.

Backed by a USD 90 million investment and a major Indo–American defence technology transfer, the facility will locally build US firm Shield AI’s combat-proven Group 3 UAV, the V-BAT, marking one of the most significant UAV manufacturing milestones in India’s history.

India’s Largest Drone ToT Deals

JSW Defence has entered a long-term licensing and technology transfer agreement with US-based Shield AI, a global leader in AI-driven defence aviation systems.

The facility will be used to manufacture, assemble, and test the iconic V-BAT VTOL drone, currently used by several global militaries, including the United States Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs), a company statement said.

Large-scale production is expected to begin in Q4 of 2026, and the Hyderabad unit is set to become a global production hub, supplying both the Indian Armed Forces and international customers.

Most Advanced Drone Facility

The JSW Group’s investment will fund:

• A comprehensive global compliance programme
• A specialised drone manufacturing ecosystem
• Training programmes to build India’s UAV workforce
• Development of a domestic supply chain for advanced UAV technologies

JSW Defence’s Parth Jindal laid the foundation stone in the presence of Telangana IT & Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu, senior state officials, Indian Armed Forces representatives, and Shield AI executives.

Game-Changing Defence Tech Transfer

Parth Jindal called the milestone a “bold new chapter in India’s journey toward next-generation defence technologies,” adding that the project will create a full-spectrum UAS ecosystem from manufacturing and MRO to operator training and innovation.

Shield AI India managing director Sarjan Shah highlighted the partnership as a step toward deepening Indo–US defence collaboration, praising JSW’s industrial scale and commitment to strategic technologies.

V-BAT Critical for Modern Warfare

The V-BAT is a fixed-wing, VTOL, long-endurance ISR drone known for:

• Rapid deployment in complex or hostile environments
• Support for infantry, armoured units, artillery, and special forces
• A patented ducted fan design offering a low logistics footprint
• Proven battlefield performance with US and allied forces

The platform is poised to significantly boost India’s military drone capability and support Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India).

Boost to Telangana’s Defence Ecosystem

The project will:

• Generate high-quality technical employment
• Position Telangana as a national hub for UAV manufacturing
• Strengthen India’s defence industrial base

EDITOR’S NOTE: The USD 23-billion JSW conglomerate spans steel, energy, infrastructure, defence, cement, paints, venture capital, and sports. Its defence arm, via JSW Gecko Motors, already supplies JSW ATOR specialist mobility vehicles to the Indian Army.

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