Shield and NIPPI Corporation to establish local maintenance and training support for V-BAT in Japan

TOKYO (November 12th, 2026) — Shield and NIPPI Corporation have signed a contract for Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) operations for V-BAT in Japan. The first domestic MRO agreement of its kind includes provisions for NIPPI to establish in-country technical capability for Group 3 unmanned aircraft systems.

NIPPI is one of Japan’s leading aerospace maintenance and manufacturing companies. It has supported Japan Self-Defense Forces and United States Navy aircraft for decades and is well positioned to build and sustain domestic V-BAT support capability. NIPPI will serve as Shield’s primary in-country MRO and training provider and provide technical and maintenance support for V-BAT directly to the JMSDF. This support activity will contribute to establishing NIPPI’s domestic capabilities for V-BAT maintenance and operations and to building a sustainable specialist skills base in Japan.

Localizing MRO and training are critical steps in transitioning V-BAT from an imported system to a sustained, domestically supported capability. It shortens repair timelines, reduces the logistical burden of returning components to the United States, and builds a trained Japanese workforce capable of supporting V-BAT operations for the long term.

NIPPI will be Shield’s main partner for V-BAT with JMSDF, with the potential to extend these capabilities for future V-BAT programs across other forces. Shield also works closely with Sumisho Aero-Systems, the Japanese trading company that has facilitated V-BAT procurement for the JMSDF since the program’s inception.

“For the Japan Self-Defense Forces, establishing a sustainable domestic maintenance and support capability is essential to ensuring equipment readiness.” said Kunihiro Asaji, Project Manager at NIPPI. “This collaboration with Shield gives us the ability to do that directly. It builds our people’s skills in unmanned aircraft maintenance as the program matures.”

“Japan is a strategic ally for the United States in the Asia region. This agreement reflects our commitment to be a long-term partner here, not just a supplier,” said Eugene “Sunshine” Choi, International Business Development – Managing Director, Japan at Shield. “By putting maintenance, repair, and training capability directly into Japanese hands, we’re creating skilled jobs in Japan and building capacity for the long-term.”

Shield is also investing in its Japanese footprint, with a dedicated office in Tokyo led by Sunshine Choi. The office supports Shield’s growing Japanese customers and partners on ground. It reflects the company’s broader strategy of building lasting, in-country capability everywhere V-BAT operates.

About NIPPI Corporation

Founded in 1934, NIPPI Corporation is one of Japan’s leading aerospace companies, with expertise spanning aircraft component manufacturing, composite technology, and aircraft maintenance, repair, and modification. NIPPI has a long history of supporting Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and commercial aerospace programs from its Yokohama and Atsugi facilities. For more information, visit www.nippi.co.jp.

About Sumisho Aero-Systems Corporation

Sumisho Aero-Systems Corporation is a Japanese aerospace and defense trading company that provides specialized business development, program coordination, and supply chain support for defense and aerospace products and systems in Japan. Working closely with leading global technology companies and Japanese government customers, Sumisho Aero-Systems supports the introduction, procurement, and long-term sustainment of advanced capabilities in the Japanese market. The company works closely with Shield in Japan, supporting V-BAT-related activities and serving as a key interface between Shield and Japanese stakeholders. For more information, visit https://www.sc-aero.co.jp/en/

About Shield

Founded in 2015, Shield is a defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT autonomous systems, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, Shield technology supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.

About V-BAT

V-BAT is a Group 3 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) featuring a ducted-fan design and a heavy-fuel engine. Designed, tested, and deployed for contested electronic warfare environments, V-BAT delivers ISR and targeting capability at significantly lower cost and logistical burden than larger systems. Its single-engine, enclosed-rotor design enables safe, unassisted launch and recovery from ship decks, urban rooftops, and austere environments, making it particularly effective for maritime and expeditionary operations.

Media Contact: Serene Koh; [email protected]