Armenia boosts intelligence with US-made V-BAT drones Advanced reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities

During US Vice President JD Vance’s visit, Armenia officially announced the acquisition of American V-BAT reconnaissance and surveillance drones, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan confirming their combat-proven capabilities.

The drones were acquired under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program and are part of the expanding Armenia-US security partnership in recent years, reflecting deepening defence cooperation between the two countries, according to Caliber.Az citing Turkish media.

The V-BAT, developed by Shield AI, is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It features a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) configuration, allowing operations without runways, including in constrained or hard-to-reach locations.

Open technical data indicate that the drone uses a ducted fan design for vertical lift and return, then transitions to efficient horizontal flight, providing extended airborne endurance. The platform is intended for continuous ISR tasks, including border security, maritime monitoring, and battlefield reconnaissance.

The acquisition follows rising international interest in the V-BAT, notably after its operational deployment in Ukraine, which also led to export orders from countries including Greece, Japan, and India. Shield AI markets the system as an airfield-independent ISR tool for both military and governmental customers.

Armenian authorities have not disclosed the number of drones delivered, contract value, or delivery timeline. Details on integration into the armed forces or assigned units remain unspecified. Officials emphasised that the purchase aligns with a broader strategy to diversify defence partnerships and modernise intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

By Jeyhun Aghazada