Motorola acquires D-Fend Solutions for US$1.5bn

Motorola Solutions has officially completed its acquisition of D-Fend Solutions, a counter-drone technology company, for a purchase price of US$1.5 billion. Plans for the acquisition were originally announced back in June, with the deal set to provide public safety and enterprise customers with access to advanced counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) designed to safely neutralise rogue drone threats.

Unlike traditional counter-drone methods that rely on simple detection with jamming or kinetic force, D-Fend’s RF cyber-takeover technology identifies and surgically takes control of rogue drones, then directs them to land safely in designated zones. This method resolves threats without disrupting local communications infrastructure for authorised drones, while avoiding collateral damage and costly operational shutdowns.

With D-Fend’s technology having already been deployed across airports, critical infrastructure, stadiums, military bases and borders in more than 30 countries, Motorola Solutions plans to integrate the technology into its public safety ecosystem to deliver comprehensive air-to-ground security. This vision is designed to equip frontline teams with situational awareness, while enabling operators to evaluate risks and, where permitted, safely mitigate unauthorised drones.

“Safety on the ground demands security in the air,” said Greg Brown, Chairman and CEO, Motorola Solutions. “D-Fend’s field-proven counter-drone technology is a powerful complement to our mission-critical ecosystem, providing differentiated airspace protection for our customers around the world.”

Motorola Solutions believes its global presence and longstanding relationships with public safety, federal and enterprise customers around the world will help accelerate D-Fend’s adoption. Zohar Halachmi will continue as CEO of D-Fend Solutions and will lead Motorola Solutions’ counter-drone platform as Senior Vice President, Counter-Drone Solutions.

“Joining Motorola Solutions marks an exciting new chapter for D-Fend and the customers we serve,” Halachmi said. “By combining our RF cyber technology with Motorola Solutions’ trusted global reach, we plan to scale faster and transform how airspace is protected worldwide.”

Image credit: Motorola Solutions