JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd., part of the US$ 23 billion JSW Group, today commenced construction of its facility for the next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) at EMC Maheshwaram, Hyderabad. JSW has entered into a strategic partnership with Shield AI – a leading US-based defence technology company – to manufacture their Group 3 UAS – VBAT, under a long-term licensing arrangement for Transfer of Technology (ToT). As part of the partnership, the JSW Group will invest around US$ 90 Million to establish JSW’s global compliance program, a manufacturing facility to ensure proper technology licensing, and training of manpower. This investment will enable JSW to establish a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for manufacturing, assembling and testing V-BAT. This effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub. The manufacturing of VBATs at the facility is expected to commence by the last quarter of 2026. The foundation stone laying ceremony of the plant was performed by Mr. Parth Jindal of the JSW Group, in the presence of Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Honourable Minister for IT, E&C and Industries & Commerce, Telangana, senior officials from the state government, Shield AI and the Indian Armed Forces.