Motorola acquires Israeli drone-defense startup D-Fend for $1.5B amid rising rogue drone threats

A few years ago, rogue drones were largely viewed as a nuisance. Today, they are a growing security concern for airports, military bases, data centers, government facilities, and critical infrastructure around the globe.

Motorola Solutions is making a major bet that the problem is only getting bigger.

The communications and public safety technology company announced Monday that it will acquire Israeli drone-defense startup D-Fend Solutions in a $1.5 billion deal. The move comes as governments and infrastructure operators race to protect sensitive sites from unauthorized drones without disrupting communications, damaging property, or creating new safety risks.

Recent events have highlighted the challenge. Drone-related disruptions have shut down airports across Europe, and attacks tied to the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran have drawn attention to the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. Security teams increasingly need ways to stop drones safely rather than simply detect them.

Founded in 2016, D-Fend has built its business around that idea.

Instead of jamming signals or physically taking down drones, the company’s technology uses radio frequency cyber-takeover capabilities to assume control of an unauthorized drone in flight and guide it to a safe landing area. Its flagship system, EnforceAir, is used in more than 30 countries, including several NATO member nations, and protects locations ranging from airports and military installations to other high-value facilities.

The company’s customer list includes agencies within the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Defense, and Justice, giving it credibility in a market where reliability can carry life-and-death consequences.

The timing of Motorola’s acquisition is significant.

Last year’s passage of the Safer Skies Act in the United States opened the door for certified state and local law enforcement officers to actively take control of unauthorized drones and land them safely. The legislation created new opportunities for companies developing drone-takeover technologies, a category where D-Fend has established a strong position.

“Rogue drones have transformed our skies into a landscape of unpredictable risk, where simple detection is no longer enough,” Motorola Solutions CEO and Chairman Greg Brown said in a statement on Monday.

The acquisition builds on Motorola’s broader push into drone and public safety technology. In 2025, the company acquired Silvus Technologies for $4.4 billion, adding secure communications and networking systems used in military and drone operations. With D-Fend joining the portfolio, Motorola gains a complementary capability focused on neutralizing unauthorized aircraft rather than enabling them.

Taken together, the deals give Motorola a larger presence across the drone security stack at a time when governments and enterprises are increasing spending on aerial threat detection and response.

D-Fend’s growth reflects that trend. Motorola said the company has delivered annual revenue growth of more than 50% over the past three years and is expected to generate approximately $185 million in revenue during 2026.

Industry forecasts point to a much larger market ahead. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global anti-drone market was valued at $2.47 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $8.42 billion by 2031, Reuters reported.

Motorola expects the acquisition to close in the fourth quarter of 2026, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

The deal signals a broader shift in how governments and organizations are approaching drone security. Detection alone is no longer enough. The next phase centers on safely taking control of unauthorized drones before they become a threat.