Acquisition Highlights Growing Demand for Airspace Security as Governments Expand Counter-UAS Authorities
Motorola Solutions announced plans to acquire counter-drone company D-Fend Solutions for $1.5 billion, a move that reflects the growing importance of counter-UAS technology for public safety, national security, and critical infrastructure protection.
The companies announced the definitive agreement on June 1. Motorola Solutions expects the transaction to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary conditions.
Israel-based D-Fend Solutions develops radio frequency (RF)-based counter-drone technology designed to detect, identify, and take control of unauthorized drones. The company says its technology has been deployed thousands of times in more than 30 countries and has achieved annual revenue growth of more than 50% over the last three years. Motorola Solutions said D-Fend is expected to generate approximately $185 million in revenue during 2026.
The acquisition comes at a time when governments around the world are increasing investments in airspace security. Large public events, growing geopolitical tensions, and expanding drone use have pushed counter-UAS systems from a specialized military capability into a broader public safety and infrastructure protection tool.
Counter-Drone Technology Moves Into the Mainstream
Demand for counter-drone systems has accelerated in recent years. Airports, sports venues, power plants, government facilities, and transportation hubs increasingly face concerns about unauthorized drone activity.
The issue has gained particular attention ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Federal agencies have already announced temporary flight restrictions and security measures around World Cup venues. Security planners view drones as both valuable operational tools and potential threats that require dedicated mitigation capabilities.
At the same time, military conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and other regions have demonstrated how low-cost drones can create significant operational challenges. Those lessons have influenced defense planning worldwide and increased interest in technologies that can safely defeat or redirect unauthorized aircraft.
Counter-UAS systems are also becoming more common at airports and critical infrastructure sites. Operators seek solutions that can address potential drone threats without disrupting legitimate air traffic or nearby operations.
Motorola Solutions pointed to these trends in announcing the acquisition.
“Rogue drones have transformed our skies into a landscape of unpredictable risk, where simple detection is no longer enough,” said Greg Brown, chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. “With D-Fend, drone threats are not just identified — their communications are overridden and redirected, safely bringing them to the ground, keeping people and communities safe.”
Focus on Non-Kinetic Drone Mitigation
Unlike systems that physically disable drones, D-Fend’s technology uses RF cyber-takeover methods to assume control of an unauthorized aircraft and direct it to a safe landing area. The approach aims to minimize collateral damage and avoid disruptions to authorized drone operations.
According to Motorola Solutions, D-Fend’s system can isolate rogue drones while allowing approved aircraft to continue operating in the area. The capability has become increasingly important as organizations adopt drones for inspection, public safety, emergency response, and infrastructure monitoring.
The acquisition also follows recent changes in U.S. law that expand counter-drone authorities.
Motorola highlighted the Safer Skies Act, enacted as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation authorizes trained and certified state and local law enforcement agencies to detect, track, and, where permitted, mitigate drones that present public safety risks.
The law represents a significant shift in U.S. counter-UAS policy. For years, most mitigation authorities remained limited to a small group of federal agencies. Expanded authorities could create new opportunities for state and local public safety organizations to deploy counter-drone technology.
Expanding Motorola’s Public Safety Portfolio
Motorola Solutions has steadily expanded its public safety technology portfolio through acquisitions and product development. The addition of D-Fend extends that strategy into airspace security.
“Joining Motorola Solutions allows us to accelerate our mission of securing the skies,” said Zohar Halachmi, chairman and CEO of D-Fend Solutions. “By leveraging Motorola Solutions’ deep expertise and long-term customer relationships across public safety, federal and enterprise, we can deliver even greater impact to the communities and organizations we serve.”
As drone adoption continues to grow, industry observers expect counter-UAS systems to become an increasingly important part of public safety and security infrastructure. The Motorola-D-Fend transaction highlights how major technology providers are positioning themselves to meet that demand.
While drone operations continue to expand across commercial, public safety, and government sectors, organizations responsible for protecting airspace are increasingly looking for solutions that can manage both authorized and unauthorized aircraft. The acquisition suggests that counter-drone capabilities are becoming a core element of the broader public safety technology ecosystem.
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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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