US-based defence technology company Shield AI has opened a new engineering office in Bengaluru, where Indian engineers will develop and test software for autonomous aircraft and defence systems. The move adds a research and engineering base to the company’s growing Indian operations as the country seeks greater control over technologies used by its armed forces.

The new office is located at GoodWorks GCC Nexus in Bengaluru. Engineers based there will work on Hivemind, Shield AI’s software platform for developing, deploying and operating autonomous systems. The company plans to recruit specialists in autonomy, flight software, simulation, systems integration, testing and evaluation.

Bengaluru is the company’s second Indian office. Shield AI opened its New Delhi office in April 2026 to strengthen its work with India’s Ministry of Defence, armed forces and domestic defence industry. The new engineering centre will work closely with the Delhi team, which handles government and industry engagement.

The decision comes as India increases its focus on artificial intelligence (AI), unmanned aircraft and computer-controlled defence systems. These technologies are becoming an important part of military operations, where aircraft and other equipment must collect information, respond to changing conditions and carry out missions with limited human input.

In October 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Indian Army’s Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 at the Army Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi. The document sets out a framework for preparing the Army for future conflicts. Singh called for long-term planning over the next 20 to 30 years while asking military leaders to remain ready for immediate security challenges.

The new doctrine reflects changes in modern warfare, including the growing use of drones, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cyber security and secure communication networks. It also places importance on joint military operations and the ability to use different defence technologies together.

The Army’s growing interest in unmanned systems gives companies working on aircraft autonomy and related software a larger role in India’s defence plans. Domestic engineering and software development can help Indian organisations understand, maintain and adapt these technologies to their operational requirements.

Shield AI’s Bengaluru team will concentrate on the software side of this work. Its Hivemind platform provides tools to develop, test and operate autonomous systems. According to the company, the software includes capabilities such as route planning, mission management and communication between aircraft. It also allows developers to test systems in simulated conditions before moving to actual flight operations.

Shield AI says Hivemind has been tested on more than 40 platforms. These include F-16 fighter aircraft, jet-powered unmanned aircraft, helicopters, unmanned surface vessels, ground vehicles and a satellite in low Earth orbit. The company was founded in 2015 and works in defence technology, with products covering autonomous aircraft, software and simulation systems.

Sarjan Shah, managing director for India at Shield AI, explained the purpose of the two Indian offices.

“New Delhi brought us closer to our customers. Bengaluru gives us the engineering team to build for them,” said Sarjan Shah, managing director for India at Shield. “Self-reliance in defence depends on the software layer. We are hiring here to build, test, and improve mission autonomy for Indian platforms, so that India’s armed forces can own this capability for the long term.”

The Karnataka government has also welcomed the company’s decision to establish an engineering centre in the state.

Dr Manjula N., IAS, Secretary to Government, Department of Electronics, Information Technology, Biotechnology, and Science & Technology, said the centre would add to Karnataka’s growing base of technology and research facilities.

“Shield’s Bengaluru engineering centre is a welcome addition to Karnataka’s growing ecosystem of global technology and R&D centres. The focus on autonomy software, simulation and advanced engineering will create opportunities for specialised talent and strengthen the state’s capabilities in emerging technologies. We look forward to supporting such high-value investments that contribute to Karnataka’s innovation-led growth.”

Mr Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), also welcomed the expansion. He said the state was working to attract companies involved in advanced engineering and technology development.

“Shield’s expansion into Bengaluru reinforces Karnataka’s attractiveness as a destination for next-generation innovation centres and advanced engineering operations. At KDEM, our focus is on enabling global enterprises to leverage Karnataka’s deep technology talent, industry ecosystem and innovation capabilities. We welcome Shield and look forward to supporting its growth and engagement with the state’s technology ecosystem.”

The Bengaluru office follows an earlier agreement between Shield AI and JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd., announced in November 2024. The two companies agreed to work together to indigenise and manufacture Shield AI’s V-BAT unmanned aerial system in India.

The V-BAT is a Group 3 unmanned aircraft designed for military operations. Under the partnership, JSW Defence will manufacture the aircraft in India through a technology transfer and licensing arrangement.

JSW Group committed around $90 million to the project. The investment covers the manufacturing facility, technology licensing requirements, a global compliance programme and workforce training. The plan also includes developing a local supply chain for manufacturing, assembly and testing.

Construction of the V-BAT production facility began in December 2025 at EMC Maheshwaram in Hyderabad, Telangana. According to JSW Defence’s announcement, production was expected to begin in the last quarter of 2026.

Another development came in January 2026, when Shield AI announced that India had selected its V-BAT unmanned aircraft and Hivemind autonomy software licences for the Indian Army. The selection added a direct defence requirement to the company’s existing manufacturing partnership with JSW Defence.

These developments give Shield AI a wider presence in India’s defence sector, covering government engagement, software engineering and locally planned aircraft production. The Bengaluru centre is expected to support the technical work required for Indian aircraft and defence platforms.

For India, the extent of domestic engineering participation and access to software development will remain important considerations. Manufacturing an aircraft locally and developing the software that controls its autonomous functions involve different technical requirements. Both need trained personnel, testing facilities and long-term support.

The opening of Shield AI’s Bengaluru office comes at a time when the Indian Army is placing greater emphasis on technology in military planning. Its progress will depend on the engineering work carried out in India and how effectively these systems meet the requirements of the country’s armed forces.

Must Read:

Mission Sudarshan Chakra India’s New Missile Shield Plan