DroneShield secures AUD $1 million police contract for counter-drone gear

An Australian state police department has selected DroneShield to supply advanced counter-drone technology in a contract valued at more than $1 million, as part of efforts to protect public safety and national security from the growing risks posed by unauthorised drones.

Announced on 21 May 2025, the deal will see DroneShield provide a range of radio frequency sensing, artificial intelligence, and non-kinetic countermeasure systems. The contract supports a broader initiative to modernise law enforcement capabilities in response to the increasing presence and sophistication of drones across Australian skies.

The surge in drone accessibility has raised concerns among law enforcement agencies worldwide, given their potential use in surveillance, disruption, and even attacks. Fast, intelligent, and reliable tools are needed to detect and respond to unauthorised drones operating unlawfully or in restricted airspace, particularly at major events and around critical infrastructure.

DroneShield's solution suite for the police department will include a mix of hand-held, mobile, and expeditionary systems. These technologies enable officers to rapidly detect, assess, and neutralise rogue drones across a range of operational scenarios.

Describing the solution's core features, the company highlighted the integration of "AI-driven radio frequency (RF) sensing, deep-learning-based signal recognition, and non-kinetic countermeasures—built for maximum impact with minimal complexity." This multi-layered approach is designed to ensure that frontline personnel can act swiftly and effectively when faced with potential threats from unmanned aerial systems.

Oleg Vornik, CEO of DroneShield, said the company was pleased to support another Australian law enforcement agency with its homegrown technologies. "We're proud to support another Australian law enforcement agency with our sovereign, AI-powered solutions," Vornik said.

He added: "As drone incursions become more frequent, particularly around high-profile events and critical assets, frontline personnel need effective tools that are easy to deploy and operate. Our systems are built in Australia, for Australia's unique operational needs."

By choosing DroneShield, the police department is also reinforcing the value of sovereign capability in the national security context. The locally developed and supported systems enable rapid delivery, streamlined training, and ongoing product updates tailored to evolving drone threats. This procurement also aligns with the Australian Government's Commonwealth Procurement Rules, which prioritise domestic innovation and industrial resilience within defence and security sectors.

DroneShield's expanded presence in the domestic civilian security environment comes at a time when threats are becoming "more complex, and response time is critical," the company noted in its announcement. The contract underlines the growing importance of counter-drone solutions in both public and private sector security planning.

Headquartered in Sydney, DroneShield has positioned itself as a key player in Australia's defence industrial base, while also contributing to international security operations. The company continues to deliver "scalable solutions to military, government, and law enforcement customers, globally," according to the release.

DroneShield's capabilities focus on radio frequency sensing, artificial intelligence and machine learning, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare, with applications ranging from military and government through to critical infrastructure and VIP protection.

With the new contract in place, the company said it will continue to support the evolving requirements of law enforcement agencies tasked with protecting the public from emerging aerial threats.