Latvia, Estonia and Belgium receive first Blaze interceptor drones

2026-02-06
LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Latvia, Estonia, and Belgium have received the first Blaze interceptor drones manufactured by Latvian defense technology company Origin Robotics, announced Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds (Progressives).

The three NATO member states are the first in Europe to introduce a fully autonomous interceptor drone system in response to growing threats to airspace, Spruds said.

The Latvian Ministry of Defense did not disclose the amount of the contract to LETA. Similarly, the number of interceptor drones that the National Armed Forces will receive has not been disclosed. The ministry confirmed that the interceptor drones will be deployed on the eastern border.

Origin Robotics' Blaze unmanned aerial vehicle interceptor is designed to intercept and destroy enemy drones and other fast-moving aerial targets.

It is an easily transportable and quickly deployable solution that combines radar data with machine vision technologies to accurately detect, track, and neutralize enemy drones in flight, providing an autonomous and cost-effective addition to air defense.

As reported, Latvia plans to allocate EUR 200.54 million this year to strengthen its air defense, while EUR 50 million will be invested in unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities, which is a significant increase in funding compared to the previous year, when EUR 20 million was allocated for these capabilities.

According to information from Firmas.lv, Origin Robotics had a turnover of EUR 1,812,469 in 2024 and a profit of EUR 47,076. The largest owners of the company, which was founded in 2022, are Agris Kipurs (39.66 percent), Iļja Nevdahs (28 percent), and Konstantins Popiks (22.34 percent).

LETA also reported, at the end of 2024, Origin Robotics received approval from the European Commission for EUR 4.5 million in funding from the European Defense Fund to create an unmanned technology-based capability for target designation, significantly expanding the possibilities for the use of precision-guided munitions.