1 Jun (Reuters) – Motorola Solutions announced it will buy Israeli startup D-Fend Solutions for $1.5 billion, as governments and critical infrastructure operators around the world race to defend themselves against the growing threat of hostile drones.
Attacks on essential infrastructure such as data centers in the US and Israeli war against Iran, and airport closures across Europe have recently shown the need for systems that can intercept drones without interfering with communications or causing damage.
The Safer Skies Act — a US law passed last year that allows certified state and local law enforcement officers to actively hijack and safely land unauthorized drones — has also created a new market for drone capture tools.
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Founded in 2016, D-Fend makes technology that uses radio waves to take control of hostile drones mid-flight, rather than disrupting signals or shooting them down.
Its flagship product, EnforceAir, is deployed in more than 30 countries, including NATO members, to protect military zones, airports and critical infrastructure. Its technology is also used by the US Departments of Homeland Security, Defense and Justice.
“Hostile drones have turned our skies into an unpredictable risk landscape where simple detection is no longer enough,” Motorola CEO and President Greg Brown said in a statement on Monday.
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The company said the deal with D-Fend is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026. D-Fend has recorded annual revenue growth of more than 50% over the past three years. Projected revenue for 2026 is $185 million, Motorola said.
The anti-drone market was valued at US$2.47 billion in 2026 and is expected to reach US$8.42 billion by 2031, according to research firm Mordor Intelligence.
