Motorola Solutions has entered a definitive agreement to acquire counter-drone technology company D-Fend Solutions for US$1.5 billion (about A$2.1 billion).
The deal comes as governments and critical infrastructure operators face growing concerns about unauthorised drones, alongside regulatory changes that are expanding who can detect, track and, in some cases, mitigate drone activity.
Motorola pointed to the US Safer Skies Act, enacted as part of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorises trained and certified state and local law enforcement to detect and track drones considered a public safety risk, and, where permitted, to mitigate those threats.
Motorola said D-Fend’s technology is deployed across more than 30 countries. The company said D-Fend has recorded annual revenue growth of more than 50 per cent over the last three years and expects full-year 2026 revenue of US$185 million.
Motorola chairman and CEO Greg Brown said threats from rogue drones are driving demand beyond detection capabilities, describing the need for systems that can intervene to stop unauthorised devices. D-Fend’s approach is designed to isolate and remove rogue drones from airspace to reduce disruption and avoid wider shutdowns, according to the release.
D-Fend chairman and CEO Zohar Halachmi said the acquisition would provide access to Motorola’s customer base across public safety, federal and enterprise markets.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
