Tactical drones for Spain: Indra to deliver 147 Tarsis aircraft under the Santam programme

Tactical drones in two versions are being developed at Indra for the Spanish armed forces under the Santam modernisation programme. In total, 147 remotely piloted aircraft are planned, spread across 49 systems for the Army, Air and Space Force and Navy.

The programme comprises the Tarsis-W, with conventional take-off and landing, and the Tarsis-VTOL with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL). Both platforms are designed for tactical missions; delivery is planned between 2028 and 2030.

A wingspan of around six metres, a maximum take-off weight of 150 kilograms and a ceiling of up to 15,000 feet characterise the fixed-wing aircraft. Around ten hours of flight time are envisaged; the communications link is to reach beyond 120 kilometres.

Tactical drones built on Spanish technology

A common architecture underpins both systems; they are to be built largely with Spanish technology. This includes:

• Navigation and control systems and autopilot
• Communications and on-board electronics
• Propulsion
• Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and electro-optical sensors

Reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition rely on electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) systems, laser target designators and the SAR radar. Several operators are also to be able to hand over flight control and run missions in a distributed manner.

Certification of the systems is meant to secure series production and ease later modifications and possible use by allies.

Around a dozen Spanish companies, two research centres and universities will take part, plus training centres for aircraft mechanics and assembly. Around 500 direct jobs are to be created over the next four years. Industrially and technically, the programme will run at the sites in Seville, Villadangos del Páramo, Valladolid, Madrid and Barcelona.