Indra Group has reached an agreement to acquire Dares Technology , a Catalan company specializing in synthetic aperture radar and image processing. The company has not disclosed the transaction amount but explained that the acquisition provides it with a compact sensor, specialized software, and a technical team that aligns with its defense and space plans. This move comes at a time when the company is seeking to streamline its growth and present a renewed strategy.
The operation has several facets. On the one hand, Indra is incorporating technology that was not previously part of its product range; on the other, it is gaining a foothold in a niche market where the supply of advanced solutions is limited . In practical terms, the company is reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge radars, unmanned systems, and technologies considered critical for militaries and Earth observation.
What does Dares Technology bring to Indra's business?
Dares Technology was founded in 2015 in Castelldefels, in the province of Barcelona, ​​as one of the advanced technology initiatives linked to the European Space Agency's business incubation center, known as ESA BIC . Its main activity has been the processing of images obtained by synthetic aperture radars, known as SAR, using both data generated by its own systems and information from third parties.
Until now, the company had focused much of its business on services for mining and infrastructure , in addition to having developed its own radar. That sensor is one of the components now being transferred to Indra. The Spanish company is also acquiring the software that allows for the analysis of the captured images and the extraction of useful information from them.
The value of this technology lies in its ability to observe the terrain in great detail. According to Indra, the system can detect variations of just a few centimeters on the surface, something that is much more difficult to see with the naked eye or with conventional sensors. This precision allows for the creation of topographic maps and the tracking of changes that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Integration into Tarsis drones and military use
The first application of this technology within Indra will be its Tarsis drone family. The company aims to adapt the radar to military requirements and integrate it into these devices to accelerate the development of unmanned systems . Specifically, the focus is on Class I, a category in which the equipment weighs no more than 150 kilograms.
These drones are designed for the Armed Forces and are part of the Special Modernization Program led by Indra. The company will have to adapt the sensor to the specific requirements of defense and prepare it for sensitive missions. These include generating high-precision topographic maps and detecting minute changes in the ground, a function used to monitor the movement of people, vehicles, and other elements on the ground.
The advantage of SAR radar is that it doesn't depend on sunlight or favorable weather. It can operate at night and in adverse weather conditions, which greatly expands its usefulness. This autonomy allows it to maintain intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance tasks—known as ISR missions —with high-resolution images and near real-time analysis.
Beyond drones: satellites, sea and borders
The technology acquired is not limited to drones. Indra also sees potential in maritime patrol, where radar can help detect and track vessels , as well as in border surveillance and monitoring of strategic areas. This is further complemented by the continuous monitoring of critical infrastructure, a field in which the ability to observe without relying on daylight is particularly useful.
Another application highlighted is Earth observation from satellites. In this case, the SAR software and the compact sensor can contribute to obtaining detailed information about the surface and maintaining constant monitoring of specific points. The company maintains that this technology can serve both civilian and defense applications , thus expanding the operation's potential market.
The acquisition also has a human and knowledge component. Dares Technology's 27 specialists are joining Indra's Radar Center of Excellence. With them, the group expands its technical team and its expertise in a type of system that, until now, has not been a core part of its portfolio. This is no small transaction, as it positions Indra in a segment where such sophisticated solutions are not common.
With this acquisition, Indra expands its portfolio within the arms and munitions business and, as the company maintains, strengthens its position in the design, development, and manufacturing of advanced radars. The company also aims to boost its unmanned systems, an area of ​​both military interest and commercial potential . The integration of Dares thus fits into a broader strategy: to gain its own capabilities in critical technologies and be better prepared for upcoming defense and space programs.
Indra's acquisition of Dares Technology is seen as a way to combine a compact radar, advanced SAR software, and a team of specialists in a single move. The operation aims to improve the Tarsis drones and other systems of the company, enabling them to better observe terrain, operate in challenging conditions, and respond to surveillance, reconnaissance, and monitoring missions. The stated objective is to strengthen the defense and space business, but without closing the door to civilian applications that Dares was already developing. The key is integrating this technology without losing what already works.