DroneShield joins Defence counter-drone services panel

DroneShield has joined an Australian Department of Defence supplier panel under Project LAND 156, a procurement pathway for counter-drone services aimed at domestic security settings.

The company said Defence selected it for LAND 156 Line of Effort 3. The line establishes a Counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems services standing offer panel. DroneShield said it was selected as a Category 2 provider.

The arrangement allows Defence to procure counter-drone products and related services from panel members through selective and limited tender. DroneShield said this scope includes hardware and software. It also includes Command-and-Control software and associated support services. The company said Defence can buy these offerings under a Capability as a Service model.

DroneShield said it was one of a number of companies chosen for the panel. The company said panel selection does not guarantee contracts.

Procurement pathway

DroneShield said the panel offers Defence an avenue for domestic site planning and support services. It said individual bases or groups of bases would go through assessment and tendering processes set by the relevant authorities. It said each tender would specify requirements for the sites in scope.

The company said the panel arrangement covers Defence sites and other Whole of Government locations. It said Defence has around 150 bases and installations across Australia.

In a statement, DroneShield linked the panel to Defence planning for small drone risks onshore. The company described the panel as part of Defence's strategy to address evolving threats posed by small drones in domestic security environments.

Funding signal

Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy has previously flagged funding for counter-drone acquisition. DroneShield pointed to a figure of AUD $1.3 billion over 10 years for counter-drone capabilities.

The investment signal has added scrutiny to procurement routes tied to LAND 156, as Defence and other government bodies review site-level requirements. DroneShield said the standing offer structure streamlines contract opportunities and shortens deployment timelines, subject to assessment and tender outcomes.

DroneShield Chief Executive Oleg Vornik described the company's position following its selection.

"We welcome the opportunity to support Defence through this Panel arrangement and stand ready to deliver battle-proven, software-defined C-sUAS solutions," said Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive, DroneShield.

Service model

The company framed its panel role around services delivered under a Capability as a Service model. It said this approach covers equipment provision and ongoing support services packaged as a service arrangement rather than a one-off supply.

DroneShield also referenced the range of systems Defence could procure through the panel. It listed hardware and software, plus Command-and-Control software. It also listed associated support services.

A former senior military officer now working at the company addressed the security context for domestic sites.

"The growing threat from small drones demands practical, tested solutions to safeguard Defence bases and critical assets. We encourage Government and Defence stakeholders to take advantage of this Panel arrangement to experience DroneShield's proven capabilities in domestic security," said Terry Van Haren.

The panel structure indicates Defence intends to run assessments and competitions for specific bases, rather than award a single national contract upfront. DroneShield said each base, or groups of bases, would be assessed and tendered by the appropriate authorities with specific requirements.

DroneShield operates in a market shaped by demand from military and government agencies for detection, tracking and countermeasure systems addressing small uncrewed aircraft. The company said its customer base includes military and government users, law enforcement, critical infrastructure operators and airports.

DroneShield said Defence and other government entities can use the panel to engage providers for counter-drone solutions as a service after suitable assessment.