The American company Shield AI will supply MQ-35 V-BAT drones to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces early this year.

According to Axios, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force is buying multiple V-BATs for its program of record.

Drone deliveries will begin early this year, Shield cofounder Brandon Tseng told Axios.

Tseng said the deal feeds into the company’s “campaign to support the Indo-Pacific region” amid China’s ballooning ambitions.

The procurement of Shield AI drones will allow the Japanese Navy to expand its maritime reconnaissance capabilities and use V-BATs from a large number of ships.

Expanding the global V-BAT fleet

Shield AI’s MQ-35 drones are used by the United States Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard.

In addition, the Indian Armed Forces are interested in drones. At the end of November, it was reported that the Indian diversified company JSW Group had established a joint venture with the American company Shield AI to produce drones.

As part of the cooperation, JSW Group will invest about $90 million over the next two years.

The funds will be used to build the plant, acquire intellectual property, and train employees.

The new plant is expected to meet not only the needs of the Indian armed forces but also become a global production center for Shield AI.

On January 19, it was also reported that the American drone manufacturer Shield AI opened an office in Kyiv to provide full support for Ukraine’s fleet of MQ-35A V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing drones.

The company also announced the start of training for the Unmanned Systems Forces to operate V-BAT drones.

The MQ-35 V-BAT

The V-BAT weighs 56.5 kg, up to 11 kg of which is the payload. It can stay in the air for up to 10 hours.

A powerful optoelectronic station provides the drone’s reconnaissance capabilities.

It is equipped with a sensitive MWIR thermal imaging sensor, and artificial intelligence is used to detect and recognize targets.

The Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT’s main feature is its vertical takeoff and landing on a 4×4-meter area.