- The sale of its DAS subsidiary to Indra strengthens Spain’s leadership in unmanned aerial systems and will allow AERTEC to accelerate its global expansion in the aerospace and defense sectors
AERTEC has just announced the closing of an agreement with Indra for the sale of its subsidiary AERTEC DAS (Defence and Aerial Systems). With a team of 46 employees who will now be integrated into Indra’s organization. DAS is responsible for the design and manufacturing of the successful fixed-wing Class I unmanned aerial system Tarsis, as well as its armed version, Tarsis-W, and its ISTAR version (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance).
According to Antonio Gómez-Guillamón, co-founder and CEO of AERTEC, this is a “strategic” operation:
“Our UAS/RPAS division was able to develop the Tarsis family from scratch, becoming the absolute national leader in high-performance unmanned aerial systems up to 150 kg of take-off weight. This range of high-tech platforms and systems has now reached sufficient maturity to access the market, with operational industrial capabilities already in place. With this transaction, we hope and expect that products like the Tarsis will benefit from the renewed industrial and technological strength that a national leader like Indra can provide,” said Gómez-Guillamón.
He added, “This operation also strengthens the Spanish drone value chain from Andalusia and consolidates a hub of national technological sovereignty that contributes to the challenge of European strategic autonomy.”
Through this transaction, the assets of AERTEC DAS will now reinforce Indra’s new subsidiary, Weapons & Ammunitions, forming a strong and fully Spanish competitive capability to lead this segment. It brings together Indra’s experience in managing large international programs with the proven design and manufacturing capabilities of AERTEC DAS in unmanned aerial systems, thanks to the expertise of its professionals.
The engineering capabilities of AERTEC DAS and its Tarsis UAS, developed with proprietary technology and offering differentiated performance, are a unique asset in the sector. Indra has recognized this and intends to leverage the acquisition of DAS to create a drone engineering and industrial hub in Andalusia.
In today’s international landscape, unmanned aerial systems have become decisive tools in the transformation of defense and security. Their ability to operate in hostile environments, carry out persistent surveillance missions, and execute precision strikes makes them strategic assets for power projection, deterrence, and territorial control. In recent conflicts, they have proven crucial in conventional and asymmetric operations, marking a doctrinal evolution in the use of aerial assets.
The Future of AERTEC
Following the signing of the deal, which took place in Málaga on Tuesday, July 29, AERTEC continues to play a key role in strengthening Spain’s technological sovereignty in defense and gains financial momentum to accelerate its global expansion across its other business divisions: Airports, Engineering for the Aerospace Industry, and Precision-Guided Aircraft and Munitions Systems.
In this regard, the company will continue to expand internationally in key markets, such as Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. It will invest in technology developments related to aircraft electrification, GNC systems (Guidance, Navigation, and Control), flight computers, and in-cabin connectivity. AERTEC will also finalize the development and qualification of its precision-guided munitions products, including the FOX micromissile and the BAT guided bomb.