Motorola to acquire Israeli leader in counter-drone solutions, in historic USD 1.5b. deal

Motorola Solutions is set to acquire D-Fend Solutions, a leader in counter-drone technology based in Israel, in a landmark deal valued at USD 1.5 billion. The acquisition is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2026.

This strategic move aligns with the recent enactment of the Safer Skies Act, part of the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The act grants US local law enforcement the authority to detect, track, and neutralize unauthorized drones, including "credible threats," in airspace previously under exclusive federal control. This regulatory shift creates a significant market opportunity for advanced drone mitigation solutions.

“

Rogue drones have transformed our skies into a landscape of unpredictable risk, where simple detection is no longer enough. 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.

D-Fend Solutions is recognized as a pioneer in airspace security, developing non-kinetic technologies designed to counter drones and other airborne threats. Their flagship platform, EnforceAir, utilizes a cyber-centric approach to detect and disable drones by overriding their communications through radio frequency exploitation, rather than employing destructive measures. This method is particularly valuable in environments where traditional counter-drone tactics are deemed unsafe or unacceptable, such as airports, critical infrastructure sites, and densely populated urban areas.

Motorola's Chairman and CEO, Greg Brown, highlighted the growing challenge posed by drone warfare, stating, "Rogue drones have transformed our skies into a landscape of unpredictable risk, where simple detection is no longer enough." He emphasized that D-Fend's technology goes beyond mere identification to safely ground threats, thereby enhancing public safety. D-Fend's CEO, Zohar Halachmi, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, noting that joining Motorola Solutions will accelerate their mission to secure the skies by leveraging Motorola's extensive expertise and customer relationships.

“

Joining Motorola Solutions allows us to accelerate our mission of securing the skies. 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.