Counter-UAS for France: armed forces procure Blaze interceptor drone system from Origin Robotics

With the Blaze autonomous interceptor drone system, the French armed forces are expanding their counter-unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS) capability. This was announced by Origin Robotics, which develops autonomous weapon systems in Latvia, and DSV, a French integrator of defence technologies. The contract was confirmed in Paris during Eurosatory 2026. It was preceded by a competitive selection process run by the procurement agency DGA, from which Blaze emerged as the winner.

The DGA had tested several suppliers extensively over a period of months before choosing Blaze as the armed forces' future interceptor drone system. The evaluation focused on performance measured against the operational requirements of the French military, effectiveness in counter-UAS and suitability for protecting friendly troops.

Origin Robotics co-founder and CEO Agris Kipurs commented on the decision:

France's decision for Blaze underlines the operational credibility the system has earned through its deployments across Europe. We went through a demanding evaluation process and are proud that Blaze met all of the DGA's requirements. The ability to counter hostile drones has become a core requirement of modern warfare – and France is investing in the right solution at the right time.— Agris Kipurs, Origin Robotics

Counter-UAS with a national supply chain

It has been agreed that DSV will deliver the systems to the French military. Together with Origin Robotics, assembly and manufacturing capacity is also being created in the country. The project is part of a broader technology transfer: France is to become more industrially and technologically sovereign in countering drones, and a national supply chain of its own is to be established under the "Made in France" label.

Speaking for DSV, founder and CEO Eric de Trétaigne said:

Following a thorough evaluation process by the DGA, we are pleased to confirm that Blaze has been selected to meet the requirements of the French armed forces in the field of counter-drone defence. In the coming months, we will jointly drive the build-up of local assembly and manufacturing capacity for Blaze in France, thereby creating a sovereign industrial capability in an area that is becoming increasingly central to national defence.— Eric de Trétaigne, DSV

The first systems are to be delivered within the next few weeks, and user training starts immediately. While local manufacturing grows step by step, the two partners also intend to cooperate even more closely on the industrial side in the coming months.

Blaze is NATO-codified and is currently in operational use in Latvia, Estonia and Belgium. France thus becomes the fourth European operator of the system.