BLAZE is a kinetic drone interceptor developed by UK-based Origin Robotics. It physically destroys hostile drones and is effective against fibre-optic FPV types that cannot be jammed electronically.Source: DroneShield / Origin Robotics

How to defeat fibre optic FPV drones?

Fibre-optic FPV drones carry no radio signal and resist electronic jamming. Effective countermeasures include kinetic intercept (like BLAZE) and directed-energy weapons. Traditional RF jamming is ineffective.Source: DroneShield / Origin Robotics

What is the BLAZE drone interceptor and how does it work?

BLAZE is a kinetic interceptor that physically destroys hostile drones by ramming them, rather than jamming their signals. It is effective against fibre-optic guided FPV drones that carry no radio link to jam.Source: Lowdown

Background

BLAZE is a kinetic drone-on-drone interceptor developed by Origin Robotics (UK/Latvia), designed to physically destroy hostile unmanned aircraft at close range. Unlike electronic jamming systems, BLAZE works against fibre-optic guided drones that carry no radio signal to disrupt, a category that has proliferated in the Russo-Ukrainian war as both sides evolved to defeat adversary jamming.

On 31 March 2026, DroneShield signed a memorandum of understanding with Origin Robotics to integrate BLAZE into its DroneSentry-C2 command platform, adding a kinetic kill layer to DroneShield's existing detection and electronic defeat capabilities. France became the fourth European operator on 17 June 2026, ordering BLAZE after a competitive evaluation by the French defence procurement agency DGA at Eurosatory; previous operators are Latvia, Belgium, and Estonia. French integrator DSV will co-assemble BLAZE in France, with first deliveries expected within weeks.

BLAZE sits within a narrow category of counter-drone systems designed specifically for the fibre-optic threat. Latvia's own border deployments in May-June 2026, four-soldier mobile intercept teams facing Russian-origin UAV incursions, demonstrated BLAZE in operational field conditions. France's DGA order, following a competitive evaluation, signals that BLAZE is meeting formal procurement standards; co-assembly with DSV deepens it into France's sovereign defence industrial base.

More questions

Which countries have bought the BLAZE interceptor?

As of June 2026, four European countries operate BLAZE: Latvia (origin operator), Belgium, Estonia, and France. France became the fourth after a competitive DGA evaluation at Eurosatory.Source: Lowdown

Why can the BLAZE interceptor defeat fibre-optic drones when jamming cannot?

Fibre-optic guided drones transmit no radio signal; they receive pilot commands through a thin glass fibre Tether. Because there is nothing to jam, electronic countermeasures are ineffective, and a kinetic system like BLAZE is required.Source: Lowdown

Who is co-assembling BLAZE in France?

French integrator DSV will co-assemble BLAZE in France under the June 2026 DGA order, with first deliveries expected within weeks of the Eurosatory announcement.Source: Lowdown

How is BLAZE integrated with DroneShield's system?

Under a March 2026 MOU, DroneShield is integrating BLAZE into its DroneSentry-C2 command platform, creating a layered system that adds kinetic kill capability alongside existing detection and electronic defeat.Source: Lowdown

How the World Sees Them

Russia

Russia has been developing fibre-optic guided Shahed variants to defeat Ukrainian jamming. BLAZE proliferating to four European NATO members, including France with domestic co-assembly, represents a direct counter to this evolutionary path.

Ukraine

SkyFall's Shrike 10 Fiber topped the Pentagon's Gauntlet I evaluation. BLAZE is designed to defeat exactly this class of system when deployed by adversaries.

European NATO allies

DGA's competitive evaluation at Eurosatory and French co-assembly with DSV sets a template for sovereign BLAZE integration across other European procurement agencies.