Eng
Esp

Ukrainian forces master American V-BAT drone system

Shield AI’s MQ-35A V-BAT system enhances reconnaissance operations with EW resistance, AI, and thermal imaging capabilities.
byYuri Zoria
12/01/2025
2 minute read
ukrainian forces master american v-bat drone system soldiers us-supplied 2024 military news portal militarnyi reports defense have received successfully deployed shield ai mq-35a unmanned aerial vehicles supplied united states ukraine
Ukrainian soldiers with the US-supplied V-BAT drone. 2024. Photo: Shield AI
Ukrainian forces master American V-BAT drone system

Ukrainian military news portal Militarnyi reports that Ukrainian defense forces have received and successfully deployed Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT unmanned aerial vehicles supplied by the United States.

Drone warfare innovations have become a defining feature of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war. Unmanned vehicles of various sizes, operating in the air, on land, and at sea, play a central role, with technology advancing rapidly from both sides. Additionally, many Ukrainian allies develop and improve their aerial drones, testing them on the Ukrainian battlefields.

Shield AI, the manufacturer, has released a photo showing the drone alongside Ukrainian military personnel, marking one of the first documented instances of the V-BAT system in Ukrainian service.

According to the company, the V-BAT has already completed its first autonomous reconnaissance mission on the Ukrainian front.

“In Ukraine, V-BAT demonstrated resilience against electronic warfare, showcasing autonomy in the toughest conditions and completing the first successful long-endurance, long-duration ISR and targeting mission while GPS and comms were jammed,” Shield AI stated.

The V-BAT drone weighs 56.5 kg, including up to 11 kg of payload capacity, and can maintain flight for up to 10 hours. The system’s reconnaissance capabilities are powered by an advanced electro-optical station, featuring sensitive MWIR thermal imaging sensors and artificial intelligence for target detection and recognition.

A key feature of the Shield AI MQ-35A V-BAT is its ability to perform vertical takeoff and landing on a 4×4 meter platform.

ukrainian forces master american v-bat drone system uavs безпілотники shield ai military news portal militarnyi reports defense have received successfully deployed mq-35a unmanned aerial vehicles supplied united states ukraine
V-BAT UAVs. Photo: Shield AI

Development and Production In 2023, Shield AI announced the V-BAT’s capability to control drone swarms. The company signed an agreement with JSW Defense and Aerospace in 2024 for MQ-35A V-BAT production in India.

Related:

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!

To suggest a correction or clarification, write to us here

You can also highlight the text and press Ctrl + Enter

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here



    Euromaidan Press

    We are an independent media outlet that relies solely on advertising revenue to sustain itself. We do not endorse or promote any products or services for financial gain. Therefore, we kindly ask for your support by disabling your ad blocker. Your assistance helps us continue providing quality content. Thank you!

    Related Posts