Latvia, Estonia, and Belgium have received the first Blaze interceptor drones produced by the Latvian defense technology company Origin Robotics, reported Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds, according to LETA.
As noted by Spruds, these three NATO member countries are the first in Europe to implement a fully autonomous interceptor drone system in response to growing threats in the airspace.
It was previously reported that the Blaze unmanned aerial vehicle from Origin Robotics is designed to intercept and destroy enemy drones and other fast-moving aerial targets.
The system is easily transportable and quickly deployable, combining radar data with machine vision technologies for accurate detection, tracking, and neutralization of enemy drones in flight. This is an autonomous and cost-effective addition to the air defense system.
It was also reported that this year Latvia plans to allocate €200.54 million to strengthen air defense, with €50 million designated for the development of unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities. This is a significant increase compared to the current year, when €20 million was allocated for these purposes.
According to Firmas.lv, Origin Robotics had a turnover of €1,812,469 and a profit of €47,076 in 2024. Founded in 2022, the company is owned by Agris Kipurss (39.66%), Ilya Nevdakh (28%), and Konstantin Popik (22.34%).
It was previously reported that at the end of 2024, Origin Robotics received approval from the European Commission for funding of €4.5 million from the European Defense Fund. The funds are intended for the development of targeting technologies based on unmanned systems, which will significantly expand the capabilities for using precision-guided munitions.
