Motorola Solutions buys Israeli drone interception startup for $1.5 billion

The transaction value is $1.5 billion, despite the fact that during its existence the company, created in 2017, has raised only about $70 million from investors. Its most recent round of capital raising in 2024 pegged its market value at $200 million.

According to the press release, D-Fend’s revenue has grown more than 50% annually over the past three years. Revenue forecast for year-end 2026 is $185 million.

The company’s flagship product is the EnforceAir system, based on radio frequency cyber interception technology without the use of kinetic means, that is, without shooting. The system determines the location of the drone, intercepts control of it and is able to land it in a safe place.

The company’s clients include law enforcement agencies, government agencies and homeland security agencies, including federal agencies and the US Army.

However, it should be noted that the company’s product is not intended to combat fiber-optic drones.

The buyer, Motorola Solutions, has no connection to the smartphone brand of the same name and is a major player in the critical communications, public safety and enterprise defense systems segment.

The company specializes in walkie-talkie and communications systems, command and control software, analytics and cybersecurity, selling its solutions primarily to government agencies, militaries and emergency services.