U.S. based defense deep-tech startup Shield AI opened its first office in New Delhi on Wednesday and launched its India based subsidiary Shield AI India which will support software integration, engineering and autonomy development with the India’s Defense Ministry and its industrial ecosystem.
The launch comes after the Indian government announced purchase of V-BAT unmanned aerial system and Hivemind autonomy software from Shield AI in January 2026. Earlier, in 2024, Shield AI entered in a partnership with JSW Defense Pvt Ltd to indigenize and manufacture its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system.
The office opening was announced during a visit to New Delhi by Shield AI President Ryan Tseng and John C Aquilino, former U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) commander who is a member of Shield AI Defense Advisory Board with senior officials of India’s Defense Ministry on Wednesday.
A new chapter in New Delhi!
This week, our President and Co-Founder @rtsengusa and retired U.S. Navy Admiral John Aquilino, former @INDOPACOM commander and member of our Defense Advisory Board, joined Managing Director Sarjan Shah for the official opening of Shield AI’s New… pic.twitter.com/QQQCTWOvgo
— Shield AI (@shieldaitech) April 29, 2026
“Being a strong partner means being present and working alongside our customers. We are strengthening our ability to support India’s autonomy priorities and partner on systems that can be built, deployed, and sustained within the country, while growing a pipeline of Indian engineers and developers who can build and evolve mission autonomy on Indian terms,” said Sarjan Shah, MD for India, Shield AI.
The company launched its India entity Shield AI India which will operate out of its New Delhi office and an office in Bengaluru set to open later this year.
What is the V-BAT Unmanned Aerial System (UAS)?
V-BAT is a Group 3 UAS designed by Shield AI, with its unique ability to launch without a runway system and function as “drone swarm” using advanced AI tech system Hivemind. Operating from a tiny 6x6m footprint, it offers 12-hour endurance and operates autonomously in GPS-denied zones via Hivemind AI software. Moving beyond passive ISR, “V-BAT Teams” use swarming for intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance as well as deploying precision munitions. Its versatile payload also supports electronic warfare, communications relay, and tactical resupply. V-BAT drones have been extensively used in Ukraine-Russia war by the Ukrainian army.
