Expanding Capabilities in Drone Defense and Airspace Security
Motorola Solutions has announced a binding agreement to acquire Israeli drone defense specialist D-Fend Solutions. The purchase price is $1.5 billion. With this acquisition, Motorola Solutions strengthens its position in the growing market for counter-unmanned aerial systems (Counter-UAS).
D-Fend Solutions is a leading provider of technologies for detecting and safely countering unauthorized drones. The company’s solutions are used by government agencies, security organizations, and businesses in more than 30 countries. Over the past three years, D-Fend has recorded annual revenue growth of over 50 percent. Revenue of approximately $185 million is expected for the 2026 fiscal year.
The market for drone defense is gaining importance worldwide. This is driven by both the increasing prevalence of commercial drones and their misuse for criminal or security-related purposes. At the same time, new regulatory frameworks are creating additional opportunities for such protection solutions.
D-Fend’s technology takes a non-destructive approach: instead of physically combating drones, it takes over and controls their communication links. This allows unauthorized drones to be safely removed from sensitive airspace without disrupting authorized drone operations or having to shut down large security zones.
“Illegal drones have turned the airspace into an environment of unpredictable risks where mere detection is no longer sufficient,” explained Greg Brown, Chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions. “With D-Fend, drone threats are not only detected, but their communications are taken over and redirected so they can be safely brought down.”
D-Fend also sees significant growth potential in the acquisition. “The merger with Motorola Solutions enables us to significantly accelerate our mission to secure the airspace,” said Zohar Halachmi, Chairman and CEO of D-Fend Solutions. Thanks to Motorola Solutions’ global market presence and long-standing customer relationships, the technology can be deployed even more widely in the future.
The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
