Shield AI, the US-based defence technology company that now brands itself as Shield, opened an engineering office in Bengaluru on 13 November 2026. Indian engineers at the GoodWorks GCC Nexus will develop and test Hivemind autonomy software for Indian aircraft and defence systems, the company said, in support of India’s push for self-reliance in defence.

Bengaluru is the company’s second Indian location after its New Delhi office, opened in April 2026. The move comes as the Centre weighs indigenous AI models for defence and critical sectors. Indian players are also building sovereign military AI, as seen in the Sarvam AI and HQ Integrated Defence Staff partnership.

What the Shield AI Bengaluru office will build

The Bengaluru team will work on Hivemind, Shield’s platform for developing, deploying and operating autonomous systems. According to the company announcement, Hivemind handles core functions such as route planning, mission management and aircraft-to-aircraft communication, so that manufacturers can plug in their own AI models and sensors and move from simulation to flight.

• Hiring focus: autonomy, flight software, simulation, systems integration, and test and evaluation engineers.
• Division of work: Bengaluru builds and tests the software, while the New Delhi office handles engagement with the Ministry of Defence, the armed forces and Indian industry.
• Track record: Shield says Hivemind has piloted more than 40 platforms, including F-16s, uncrewed jets, helicopters, surface vessels, ground vehicles and a satellite.

“Self-reliance in defence depends on the software layer,” said Sarjan Shah, Managing Director for India at Shield. He added that the company is hiring in Bengaluru to build, test and improve mission autonomy for Indian platforms so that the armed forces can own the capability over the long term.

How the move fits Shield’s India plans

The Bengaluru centre adds software depth to a hardware partnership already under way. In November 2024, Shield tied up with JSW Defence to make its V-BAT unmanned aircraft in India, and JSW Defence began building a V-BAT production facility at EMC Maheshwaram near Hyderabad in December 2025 as part of a $90 million investment. In January 2026, the Indian Army selected Shield to supply V-BAT aircraft and Hivemind software licences.

The timing also tracks policy. In October 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Indian Army’s Land Warfare Doctrine 2026, which called for faster progress in AI and autonomous systems. Domestic startups are moving in the same direction, such as Paar Autonomy’s on-board AI for GPS-jammed drones.

Why Bengaluru matters for defence autonomy

Karnataka officials welcomed the investment. Dr. Manjula N., Secretary to the Government of Karnataka for Electronics, IT, Biotechnology and Science and Technology, said the centre’s work on autonomy software and simulation would create jobs for specialised talent. Sanjeev Gupta, CEO of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), said the expansion shows the state’s pull for advanced engineering centres.

The office joins a growing list of global firms placing high-value engineering in the city, following moves such as Blackstone’s first global capability centre outside the US in Bengaluru. For defence, the difference is control: when autonomy code is written and tested in India, Indian forces get more say over how their uncrewed systems are updated and certified.

Key takeaways

• Shield AI opened a Bengaluru engineering office on 13 November 2026 to build Hivemind autonomy software for Indian platforms.
• The team will hire in autonomy, flight software, simulation, integration and testing, working with the New Delhi office.
• It builds on the JSW Defence V-BAT manufacturing tie-up and the Indian Army’s January 2026 order.

FAQ

What is Hivemind?

Hivemind is Shield’s software platform for building, testing and running autonomous systems, covering route planning, mission management and communication between aircraft.

Where is the Shield AI Bengaluru office?

The office is at the GoodWorks GCC Nexus in Bengaluru. It is Shield’s second Indian office after New Delhi, which opened in April 2026.

Featured image: Shield team members at the company’s new Bengaluru engineering office. Photo: Shield (company press image)

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