Indra protects the Spanish Air and Space Force’s A400M aircraft with its latest-generation InShield antimissile system
The system uses a directed laser to blind the missiles’ infrared guidance system and deflect them, and can neutralize multiple simultaneous attacks if necessary.
Indra becomes one of the few companies in the world with the capability to develop such an advanced countermeasures system.
The company strengthens its position as one of Europe’s leading players in the development of electronic defense systems for land, sea, and air.
Indra has equipped the Spanish Air and Space Force’s A400M aircraft with its InShield system, an extremely advanced technology capable of automatically detecting and neutralizing the attack of one or more missiles, providing decisive protection for operations in conflict zones.
Aircraft manufacturer Airbus, responsible for the structural modifications required to integrate the system, today held the official handover ceremony at its Final Assembly Line in San Pablo, Seville, delivering to the Spanish Air and Space Force the first unit of this aircraft equipped with Indra’s InShield system.
Indra’s Director of Air Dominance, Miguel García Moreno, stated that “Indra’s Directed Infrared Countermeasures system (DIRCM) is an extremely advanced technology, available to very few companies and countries worldwide,” and highlighted “the sound decision by the Ministry of Defence to support the development of a critical system such as this by a Spanish company, helping to strengthen sovereignty and strategic autonomy.”
Aircraft such as the A400M play a key role in the deployment of troops and equipment in any operation carried out by the Spanish Armed Forces and their allies. Its extraordinary payload capacity means it operates at relatively low speeds, especially during takeoff and landing, which increases the threat posed by man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS).
InShield reacts immediately to a missile launch, calculates its trajectory, and directs a laser energy beam at the missile’s infrared guidance system to deflect it. Thanks to its high precision, rapid reaction time, and fast end-to-end processing, it can counter multiple simultaneous attacks if required. Beyond its integration into the A400M, its modular design allows it to be installed on a wide range of aircraft and helicopters, and it has also been contracted for platforms such as the CH-47 and NH-90.
Proven effectiveness in live-fire tests
Throughout its development, the effectiveness of the InShield system has been tested in different environments, notably during NATO’s EMBOW XVI exercises, where it was tested aboard a Spanish Army CH-47 Chinook, as well as in various live-fire trials using real projectiles. These tests delivered very positive results, demonstrating that the solution is robust, reliable, and effective. Prior to these trials, an R&D program was completed to characterize the system in collaboration with the General Subdirectorate for Planning, Technology and Innovation (PLATIN), with technical support from the Air and Space Force’s Electronic Warfare Operational Support Squadron.
With the deployment of the InShield DIRCM, Indra strengthens its leadership position in electronic defense systems and consolidates itself as one of the leading European and global companies in this field.