Interceptor drones: Terra Drone bets on Kurin Technologies, TRL Drones and its own flight controller

Terra Drone has several segments of the growing market for interceptor drones in its sights: the Japanese drone specialist is taking a stake in the Ukrainian manufacturer Kurin Technologies, is exploring cooperation with the Czech company TRL Drones and has developed its own flight controller. The company is thus significantly expanding its defence business.

It begins with the investment in Kurin Technologies. Terra Drone is taking a stake in the Ukrainian manufacturer via its European subsidiary Terra Defense Europe, making it a consolidated second-tier subsidiary. At the same time, the Japanese group presented two small interceptor drones, KT-1 and KT-2.

These two models are not intended to engage long-range Shahed-type attack drones – they are meant for the front line. They are primarily meant to intercept first-person view (FPV) drones, reconnaissance drones and other small unmanned systems flying at low altitude. Outwardly, the platforms resemble conventional FPV drones.

According to Terra Drone, the systems have already proven themselves under real operational conditions. First deliveries are said to have taken place since commercial marketing began at the end of April 2026. More than 1,000 units per month could currently be produced; in view of the expected demand, a further expansion is planned.

Jet-powered interceptor drones against fast targets

Attention is also turning to considerably faster threats. Together with the Czech company TRL Drones, the group is examining the development and marketing of a jet-powered interceptor drone. A joint venture is also under discussion.

The trigger is attack drones that are becoming ever faster. According to Terra Drone, the planned system is to intercept targets in the 500 km/h class and thus add an extra layer to multi-layered counter-drone systems.

One possible technological basis would be a High-Speed Fixed-Wing Drone that TRL Drones presented in 2025. It is just under one metre long and has a wingspan of 1.74 metres. With a payload of up to ten kilograms, it is said to fly 205 kilometres. The stated figures are a cruising speed of 350 km/h, a maximum speed of 450 km/h and a maximum altitude of 4,000 metres. According to TRL Drones, the platform is intended both for air defence tasks and for attacks against ground targets.

TRL Drones is part of the Czech TRL Group. In addition to drones, the group develops satellites, satellite communications, encrypted communication solutions and AI-based applications. Although the drone division is still relatively young, it already cooperates with the Czech Armed Forces, among others, and cites operational experience in Ukraine.

Own flight controller from Japanese series production

Terra Drone also wants to keep a key component of its future military drones in-house. Under the designation Terra DFC, the company has developed a flight controller for defence drones, for which, according to the company, series production in Japan is already in place.

The flight controller is to be used, among other things, in the multi-purpose drones earmarked for the Japanese Ministry of Defense. Terra Drone accordingly no longer wants merely to supply complete unmanned systems, but also to develop and manufacture key components itself.

Three steps, then – FPV interceptor drones from Ukraine, a planned Czech-Japanese jet interceptor drone and its own flight controller from Japan – with which Terra Drone is increasingly positioning itself as a supplier in the defence sector. It is not yet decided, however, whether the envisaged joint venture with TRL Drones will actually materialise and when it would produce a production-ready jet interception system.