SAN JAVIER, MURCIA — Spanish technology company Indra has unveiled DRIZZLE, a new family of autonomous interceptor drones designed to counter mass attacks by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and protect infrastructure, military convoys and deployed forces.
The system was presented at UNVEX 2026, held on September 16 and 17 at San Javier, Murcia. Indra describes DRIZZLE as a low-cost, expendable hard-kill counter-drone effector designed to provide a scalable response against low-cost drone threats.
High-Speed Interceptor
DRIZZLE is a compact and lightweight unmanned system capable of reaching speeds of more than 400 km/h. In its standalone configuration, it has an approximate range of 80 kilometres.
Indra has developed the interceptor with an onboard processing system capable of analysing information from electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensors in real time. The system is designed to discriminate threats and lock onto targets with high precision during the terminal phase of an engagement.
The company is also developing a radar capability for future versions of DRIZZLE to strengthen its detection capability.
Mothership Extends Range to 130 Kilometres
Indra has also developed a larger, expendable mothership drone capable of carrying several DRIZZLE interceptors.
According to Indra, the mothership can fly at an altitude of 30,000 feet during the first 80 kilometres of a mission before releasing the smaller interceptors. After release, the DRIZZLE interceptors can travel another 50 kilometres, giving the overall system a range of approximately 130 kilometres.
Multiple motherships can also operate together and release interceptors in rapid succession. Indra says this concept is intended to create a high density of interceptors capable of saturating an adversary's defences. The mothership platforms can also serve as attack vectors after releasing their interceptor payloads.
Integration With Counter-Drone Systems
DRIZZLE is designed to operate as part of existing counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). It can provide a hard-kill layer against hostile drones and can also be used as an onboard self-protection system for ground vehicles and helicopters.
Indra says the system incorporates advanced target tracking and selection functions along with navigation technology intended for operation in saturated environments. The company is developing the DRIZZLE family around a fungible and expendable concept, allowing the systems to be produced and used in quantity against low-cost drone attacks.
The DRIZZLE unveiling is part of a wider group of new unmanned and counter-drone capabilities presented by Indra at UNVEX 2026, alongside its TARSIS drone family and SQUALL low-cost cruise missile.
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