Shield AI announces V-Bat UAS expansion plans into Japan, Ukraine

V-Bat in Ukraine. Photo: Shield AI

American aerospace and arms technology company Shield AI has announced movements into Japan and Ukraine.

American aerospace and arms technology company Shield AI has announced movements into Japan and Ukraine.

The companies’ V-BAT unmanned aircraft system has been selected by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)as the country’s first-ever maritime-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform.

Under the agreement, the JMSDF will acquire multiple V-BAT unmanned aerial system (UAS) from Shield AI, enhancing the surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities of its surface vessels.

The V-BAT is expected to provide advanced ISR capabilities to JMSDF surface vessels, reinforcing Japan’s defense posture and operational readiness in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Japan is a vital ally in the Indo-Pacific and critical to regional deterrence efforts, and this partnership strengthens Japan’s ability to respond effectively to crises and ensures they are equipped with a reliable and proven platform for maritime ISR missions,” said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI president and co-founder and a former Navy SEAL.

“The JMSDF’s selection of V-BAT reflects their understanding of the future of warfare – where operational success requires blending high-cost assets with intelligent, affordable unmanned systems like V-BAT.

“Every US and allied maritime vessel should be equipped with V-BAT to provide shipborne ISR capabilities wherever and whenever they are needed, and it’s fantastic to be making that vision a reality with JMSDF.”

The V-BAT single-engine ducted-fan vertical take-off and landing UAS has been operationally deployed in multiple regions globally, according to the company.

Using a ducted fan design and the ability to launch and recover in confined spaces, V-Bats are considered to be ideally suited for shipborne and austere environments, ensuring flexibility and resilience in complex missions – even in GPS and comms-denied environments.

Earlier this month, Shield AI announced that it had started training with Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces to prepare Ukrainian warfighters on operations with V-BAT.

In addition, Shield AI has established an office in Kyiv to create a local presence in the country and fully support Ukrainian forces.

“V-BAT is the most cost-effective, strategic targeting drone there is. In Ukraine, it has targeted strategic Russian surface-to-air missile systems while GPS and communications were jammed. It doesn’t require a runway, which everybody knows are large, stationary, first-strike missile sponges that will be destroyed on day one of any conflict,” said Tseng.

“Drones are not the future of warfare; they are how warfare is waged today. It’s just that much of the world is behind and still allocating resources to expensive, vulnerable systems that don’t stand a chance on the battlefield.

“Our adversaries laugh behind closed doors when we spend tens of millions on legacy systems that get shot out of the sky by $1 million missiles.”

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