Indra has reached an agreement with the British company Altitude Angel to acquire the assets associated with GuardianUTM , a modular platform specializing in drone air traffic management. With this move, the Spanish technology company reinforces its commitment to unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems and strengthens its position in the United Kingdom, one of its priority markets.
The transaction, the value of which has not been disclosed, allows the company to take a leap forward in a segment poised for strong growth in the coming years, driven by the use of drones for surveillance, maintenance, transport, and other services across multiple sectors, as well as the need for air traffic control for drones . By integrating GuardianUTM, Indra aims to create a more comprehensive ecosystem of solutions encompassing both the technical management of airspace and new business models associated with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations.
What does GuardianUTM bring to Indra's business?
GuardianUTM is a cloud-based UTM platform that offers advanced services for managing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAS) traffic. Its core capabilities include flight planning, operation approval, and conflict resolution—key functionalities for safely coordinating drone presence in airspace, especially when sharing the environment with manned aircraft.
This technology will be integrated into Indra's existing air traffic management solutions, reinforcing its position as a global provider of ATM and UTM systems . The company already had extensive experience in conventional air traffic control, and this acquisition accelerates its roadmap in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), where it had already been making specific investments and acquisitions.
In addition to the cloud-based UTM engine, the operation incorporates a particularly important component: the Drone Assist mobile application , designed for drone pilots and other users. This app facilitates access to airspace information, safe route planning, and permit processing, bringing Indra's technology closer to the end user and expanding the reach of its offering in the civil and commercial market.
Another key feature is the airspace monetization modules integrated into GuardianUTM. These components allow for the association of billing parameters with each operation, based on usage time, number of flights, or other conditions, opening the door to more sophisticated business models for all stakeholders involved in drone management.
GuardianUTM's customer base and international reach
One of the platform's greatest strengths is its established client base . GuardianUTM works with 64 airports and has over 350.000 direct users, a base that includes drone pilots, operators, and other professionals. Its clients include some of the leading Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) and industry authorities in Europe and Asia.
This early implementation gives Indra immediate access to an international ecosystem of clients and users already using the platform in real-world environments. For the Spanish company, this means having a commercial and operational network on which to scale its own UTM solutions , reducing deployment times and facilitating the adoption of future services.
The fact that GuardianUTM is designed as a cloud-based solution also simplifies its expansion to new countries and regions , which is especially relevant given that drone regulations are evolving at different paces across jurisdictions. This flexibility aligns with Indra's strategy of offering modular packages that can be adapted to the needs of each air navigation service provider or regulatory authority.
The combination of proven technology, customer base and international scale puts Indra in a more competitive position compared to other players in the UTM market, both in Europe and in other continents where the company already has a presence in conventional air traffic.
New model: services per flight and monetization of airspace
Beyond the technological component, the operation opens the door to a shift in how drone airspace is economically exploited. Indra aims to position itself within the per-flight services business model , where each UAS operation can generate revenue for different stakeholders depending on the service's characteristics.
In practice, this scheme will allow airports, ANSPs, and landowners to charge for approval or access to the airspace they manage, taking into account factors such as flight duration, route, or mission type. GuardianUTM already incorporates the necessary modules to manage this monetization, which aligns with the rollout of future U-Space services in Europe.
This per-flight service approach aligns with the regulatory and technological trend of treating drone traffic as a digital service , with clear tariffs, terms of use, and traceability. From Indra's perspective, it represents an evolution from the traditional supply of systems to a more recurring model, linked to the actual volume of operations handled by its platforms.
For the drone ecosystem, this type of solution can facilitate the clearer integration of commercial operations, such as infrastructure inspections, logistics deliveries, or emergency missions , within a shared tariff and responsibility framework, reducing uncertainties for operators and administrations.
Boosting Indra's leadership in unmanned aerial traffic
Indra was already a major player in the global air traffic management business , with ATM systems deployed in numerous countries. With the acquisition of GuardianUTM, it takes another step towards consolidating its position among the leading companies in unmanned air traffic management, an area with strong growth potential in the coming years.
The company has been strengthening this line of business with other recent operations in the UAS and drone sectors, both in Spain and abroad. The addition of new capabilities in the UTM segment aligns with its strategy of prioritizing technologies associated with airspace digitization , automation, and coordinated management between manned and unmanned aircraft.
According to its Air Traffic Management division, the acquisition prepares the company for future market growth and supports the development of solutions that will allow for the safe integration of an increasing number of drones into European and global airspace. Indra's vision is to offer a comprehensive portfolio covering everything from traditional control centers to U-Space services.
Thus, the company positions itself at an intermediate point between the world of classic aviation and the emerging ecosystem of advanced air mobility , where drones, remotely piloted aircraft and, in the future, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles for passenger or cargo transport will coexist.
United Kingdom, a strategic piece on Indra's map
A key aspect of the acquisition is the strengthening of Indra's presence in the United Kingdom , where it has a sustained growth strategy underway in the air traffic sector. GuardianUTM, developed by the British company Altitude Angel, joins other acquisitions that the Spanish firm has made in recent years in this same region.
Among the previous acquisitions, the acquisitions of ParkAir, MicroNav, and Global ATS stand out . These companies specialize in communications, simulation, and training systems for air traffic management. Collectively, these acquisitions have enabled Indra to build a technology and services hub in the British market, reinforcing its role as a leading partner for airports, air navigation service providers, and local authorities.
The integration of GuardianUTM also aligns with its Leading the Future Strategic Plan , which identifies air traffic management, both manned and unmanned, as a key driver of growth. The agreement with Altitude Angel strengthens collaboration with stakeholders in the British aerospace ecosystem and consolidates Indra's position as a relevant supplier in a country with considerable influence in defining UTM standards and pilot projects.
Looking ahead, this positioning in the United Kingdom can facilitate Indra's participation in international initiatives on advanced air mobility, drone corridors and cross-border U-Space services , leveraging the experience accumulated in projects and clients in the region.
A UTM market in full expansion until 2028
Industry forecasts indicate that the drone traffic management (UTM) segment will experience accelerated growth between now and 2028. The deployment of UAS-based services for infrastructure surveillance, network inspection, critical asset maintenance, goods delivery, and emergency support is generating a growing demand for solutions that allow for the safe coordination of all these operations.
To ensure that the increase in drones in the sky does not compromise safety, systems capable of identifying each aircraft , managing its access to airspace, and coordinating its movement with other users, both manned and unmanned, will be essential. Platforms like GuardianUTM address this very need, offering cloud-based services that facilitate the planning, authorization, and monitoring of each flight.
In Europe, the implementation of the U-Space regulatory framework and associated pilot projects are accelerating the adoption of UTM solutions. In this context, Indra's move responds to the need for capabilities ready for deployment at scale in a regulated, interoperable environment with demanding security and cybersecurity requirements.
The combination of technology, installed base and international strategy makes this acquisition a relevant piece of the puzzle with which Indra intends to play a significant role in the future management of drone traffic in Spain, Europe and other key markets.
With the acquisition of GuardianUTM from Altitude Angel, Indra integrates a mature UTM platform, a leading app like Drone Assist, and a business model focused on flight services, while expanding its customer network and consolidating its position in the UK; all at a time when the use of drones and the need to manage them safely and profitably is accelerating globally.