New deployment of Iron Drone Raider highlights Europe’s growing demand for automated, low-collateral drone defenses
Ondas Holdings has announced its second major counter-UAS order in two weeks from a European security authority. The $8.2 million contract will fund the deployment of Iron Drone Raider systems at another major international airport, expanding the company’s footprint in critical air infrastructure protection across Europe.
The new order follows a previous $8.2 million award on November 17, 2025, from the same customer for a separate airport. Airobotics, a wholly owned Ondas subsidiary, will serve as the prime contractor, providing system integration, deployment planning, and operational support.
Repeat Order Signals Growing Trust in Automated Drone Defense
Counter drone defenses are a rapidly evolving technology, “A repeat order from this leading European security customer is a strong validation of our growing role as a trusted provider of advanced counter-UAS capabilities,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas. “Iron Drone Raider’s proven performance and operational readiness strengthen its position as the kinetic pillar within our System-of-Systems architecture, enabling customers to implement a fully integrated, multi-layered defense posture. This contract reflects the confidence major security agencies place in Ondas to deliver reliable, scalable solutions as they confront increasingly sophisticated drone threats across critical infrastructure.”
Europe has faced a steady rise in drone-related disruptions. Recent events include airport shutdowns, restricted airspace alerts, and new national policy debates. Reports across the region highlight the need for counter-UAS tools that can distinguish between friendly and malicious aircraft, a major point underscored in Denmark’s drone ban and reinforced in recent DRONELIFE coverage of Europe’s widening airspace awareness gap.
These disruptions have driven rapid procurement cycles. European and Middle Eastern agencies are accelerating investments in layered, automated CUAS solutions that support continuous monitoring and fast threat assessment.
Meeting Demand for Precision in Congested Airspace
“Ondas is providing a purpose-built solution to protect assets in complex, high-density environments where conventional countermeasures fall short,” said Oshri Lugassy, Co-CEO of Ondas Autonomous Systems. “Iron Drone Raider is designed for real-time performance in congested civilian airspace, delivering precise, fully autonomous interceptions without collateral risk. This order reflects the growing demand for integrated counter-UAS systems that fuse sensing, cyber, and kinetic layers into a unified operational workflow. Customers need solutions that can detect, assess, and neutralize threats automatically and at scale, and Raider is proving its capability across Europe’s critical air infrastructure.”
The Iron Drone system acts as the kinetic interception layer in Ondas’ System-of-Systems architecture. It works alongside advanced cyber-electronic tools and sensing technologies to create a multi-layered defense model. This includes Cyber-over-RF (CoRF) solutions from Sentrycs and advanced optical detection and AI classification capabilities from Insight Intelligent Sensors.
Expansion Across Dual-Use, High-Density Environments
Airports have been among the most challenging sites for drone defense. They are dual-use environments that require protection without disrupting civilian operations. Europe’s rising volume of drone activity, both commercial and illicit, has widened long-standing gaps in airspace awareness.
Europe’s airspace disruptions stem not only from malicious use but also from a lack of integrated systems able to track drones across mixed civilian and commercial airspace. As more nations deploy beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and autonomous systems, the ability to “tell friend from foe” becomes critical for safe and scalable drone integration.
Ondas’ CUAS ecosystem addresses this challenge by combining sensing, identification, cyber controls, and kinetic interception. This architecture supports full-spectrum threat response while reducing collateral impact—an important requirement in crowded airspace.
Ondas’ Role in the Evolving Counter-UAS Market
This second order marks another step in Ondas’ global expansion and reinforces its position in autonomous security and defense. Through Ondas Autonomous Systems, the company delivers platforms such as the Optimus System for automated security patrols, Apeiro’s tethered and ground robotics, and Sentrycs’ protocol-manipulation technologies.
Together, these tools form a growing suite of autonomous capabilities designed for sensitive sites, including borders, ports, urban centers, and energy infrastructure.
About Ondas Holdings Inc.
Ondas Holdings Inc. (Nasdaq: ONDS) provides autonomous systems and private wireless solutions through Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS), Ondas Capital, and Ondas Networks. Its technologies support security, efficiency, and data-driven operations across defense, industrial, and government markets.
OAS’ platforms include the FAA-certified Optimus System for automated aerial security, the Iron Drone Raider kinetic counter-UAS platform, Apeiro’s ground robotics and tethered UAV systems, and Sentrycs’ CoRF and protocol-manipulation CUAS technologies.
Ondas Capital focuses on strategic investment and advisory work to accelerate global deployment of unmanned systems. Ondas Networks provides software-defined wireless broadband technology through its FullMAX platform for mission-critical IoT applications.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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