India’s V-BAT Drone Deal: Strategic Technology Transfer and Defence Industrial Ambition
India’s defence strategy is undergoing a significant transformation as the government seeks to reduce foreign dependency and establish the country as a global centre for defence production. A central element of this transformation is the increasing emphasis on technology transfers, domestic manufacturing, and joint ventures with leading international defence firms. The recent negotiations between India’s Ministry of Defence, the U.S.-based company Shield AI, and India’s JSW Defence represent a critical step in this direction. The proposed deal involves local production of the V-BAT vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone system, already in service with the United States Marine Corps. If finalised, the agreement will symbolise a shift in India’s defence acquisitions—from procurement to co-development—anchoring technology absorption within the broader context of strategic autonomy and regional power projection.