In a context in which unmanned systems are already a strategic technology for security, industry and innovation, the Spanish firm Grupo Paintec has positioned itself as one of its emerging players. Its FAS Robotics division (which has financial backing from the Sherry Ventures fund) has developed the FAS PL500 tactical drone, presented in NATO exercises.
What does it mean for a Spanish firm to lead the development of drones for defense in a sector traditionally dominated by great powers?
We face this milestone with deep humility. We are fully aware that we operate in one of the most demanding sectors in the world, where powers with decades of experience compete. For us, presenting the FAS PL500 in NATO maneuvers is not a sign of “arrival”, but the beginning of a path. We understand our position as a startup within a very broad ecosystem and our strategy is the incisive search for excellence in each piece of equipment we manufacture. We want to earn our space little by little, demonstrating that a Spanish company can provide agility, precision and disruptive solutions where others see static processes. The PL500 stands out for its autonomy of up to 400 kilometers and for a much lower cost than other military drones.
To what extent does innovation democratize access to advanced security systems?
Rather than democratizing in an idealistic sense, we talk about operational viability. Until recently, if a unit needed to cover a range of 400 kilometers, options were scarce and extremely expensive, limiting this technology to very specific projects. With the PL500, we have shown that through smart engineering and eliminating unnecessary redundancies, we can deliver that same capability at a more reasonable cost. Innovation is not just about making new things, but about making things that already work accessible to the user. We are not discovering wildfire, we are applying advanced technology efficiently so that security forces do not have to choose between technical capacity and budget. It is a matter of offering professional tools to those who need them, without price being a barrier.
They started with applications for agriculture. How did they get to the defense?
Although they may seem like opposite worlds, the countryside was our best school. In precision agriculture we learned to manage robustness, autonomy and reliability in critical conditions. If a drone can operate autonomously in isolated rural environments, it has the necessary DNA to scale to industrial and security environments. That process has been organic: we started by listening to the needs of farmers and ended up applying that same problem-solving ability to military standards. It has been a learning based on adaptability. In addition to the military field, his company is also committed to training and teaching with drones. How can these technologies become educational tools? The drone is the “Swiss army knife” of modern engineering. We don’t just teach how to pilot; We train professionals who will integrate robotics, AI and data management into daily life. Using drones allows students to see immediate tangible results. We are creating a hotbed of specialists who not only understand how a machine flies, but how it can save lives or improve the productivity of a sector. Spain aspires to strengthen its technological autonomy in strategic sectors.
What role can companies like Grupo Paintec play?
I simply believe that it demonstrates that it can be done. Sometimes it seems that to talk about robotics or AI you have to look outside, but in Spain there is incredible talent that only needs projects. We try to contribute our grain of sand by manufacturing here, learning from every mistake and betting on our own technology. We do not intend to change the system overnight, but we do want to be one more piece of that engine that allows us to have a little more technological independence. If we get the knowledge and manufacturing capacity to stay at home, we will have gained a lot.