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BLAZE
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BLAZE

Latvian-British kinetic interceptor defeating fibre-optic FPV drones; four European operators.

BLAZE is a Latvian-British kinetic interceptor for hostile drones. On 17 June, France became its fourth European operator after a competitive procurement evaluation.

Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Key Question

As fibre-optic FPV drones proliferate, can kinetic intercept systems like BLAZE fill the gap that jamming cannot?

Timeline for BLAZE

#18 23 Sept

Mentioned in: France buys 50 Harmattan AI interceptors

Drones: Industry & Defence
#17 21 Jul

Mentioned in: France charters hulls for mine drones

Drones: Industry & Defence
#14 22 Jun

Mentioned in: Hegseth watches five laser weapons fire

Drones: Industry & Defence
#13 17 Jun

Selected by France's DGA after competitive evaluation for counter-drone interceptor role

Drones: Industry & Defence: France buys a Baltic interceptor drone
#11 29 May

Mentioned in: Latvia puts drone hunters on the road

Drones: Industry & Defence
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Background

BLAZE is a kinetic drone-on-drone interceptor developed by Origin Robotics, a Latvian-British company. It destroys hostile unmanned aircraft physically at close range, rather than relying on electronic jamming.

That role makes BLAZE relevant where fibre-optic guided first-person-view drones cannot be disrupted through their control signal. On 31 March, DroneShield agreed to integrate BLAZE with its DroneSentry-C2 command platform, linking a physical Intercept option to detection, tracking and electronic-defeat functions.

France ordered BLAZE on 17 June after a competitive evaluation by its defence procurement agency. French firm DSV was to co-assemble the system, while Latvia, Belgium and Estonia were already operators. Latvia also deployed mobile drone-Intercept Teams near its Russian border in late May, using Origin Robotics interceptors in operational conditions.

Common Questions

Reference

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
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
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
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
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
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