JSW Defense and Shield AI, Inc, an American defense technology company, announced a strategic partnership to indigenize and manufacture Shield AI’s ‘V-BAT’, a Group 3 unmanned aerial system (UAS).

Under the partnership, JSW Group will invest approximately $90 million over the next two years, with $65 million allocated in the first 12 months to establish JSW’s global compliance program, a manufacturing facility that ensures appropriate technology licensing and workforce training.

The investment will enable JSW to establish a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for the manufacturing, assembly and testing of V-BAT aircraft, the company said in a statement.

This effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to meet the needs of the Indian armed forces and will also serve as a global production hub for Shield AI.

The V-BAT is a long-endurance fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform currently deployed by several armed forces around the world, including units United States Marine Expeditionaries. (MEU).

It offers cutting-edge reconnaissance capabilities in a highly tactical system, capable of being forward deployed into complex and conflictual territory to provide a range of flexible solutions to Special Forces, frontline infantry, armored and artillery units.