Indra Unveils 'Valero' Air-Ground Launched Weapon

Indra has officially unveiled its new ‘Valero’ air-ground launched weapon at the FEINDEF defense exhibition in Madrid, presenting it as a versatile system designed for collaborative combat in complex modern defense scenarios.

The Valero system centers on a light Multi-Purpose Air Vehicle (MAV) that can carry a variety of payloads — ranging from different warheads to electronic modules — and can be launched from both air and ground platforms. Depending on the mission, the MAV can be configured as expendable or recoverable, providing flexibility for operations requiring saturation, deception, or precision strikes.

Launched as a project in 2023, Valero is entirely developed within Spain and is intended to strengthen both Spanish and European strategic autonomy. Indra emphasizes that the system involves the full national value chain, including partnerships with domestic companies, universities, and specialized research centers.

According to Indra, few countries currently operate a system like Valero, and international interest is already growing. The company sees the system as a tool for boosting Spanish industry’s position in the global defense sector, particularly in the fast-evolving field of multi-domain operations.

In addition to the MAV, the Valero system includes a configurable surface launcher, a ground-based planning and control segment, and supporting equipment. Its modular design allows it to adjust to a wide range of operational scenarios, whether the mission calls for overwhelming enemy defenses with mass MAV deployment or working collaboratively with other platforms and participants.

Indra is currently progressing through the solution design and demonstrator phases, following the definition of operational concepts, architecture, and systems engineering. The company says Valero’s dual military and civilian potential will further stimulate Spain’s technological and industrial base.

With defense challenges becoming increasingly multi-layered and fast-changing, systems like Valero aim to offer armed forces the tools needed to keep pace, while reducing risks for crews and expensive platforms.