Motorola Solutions acquires Israeli drone defense startup D-Fend

D-Fend operates in the fast-growing counter-drone industry, developing technology that can detect and safely stop hostile drones. As drone-related security threats continue to increase in Israel and around the world, the company's solutions have become increasingly important and in demand.

The company’s technology can take control of hostile drones using radio frequency (RF) signals, allowing them to be stopped without physically shooting them down or using other interception methods.

However, the system is less effective against drones that use cameras and visual navigation, because these drones do not rely heavily on RF communication signals to operate.

D-Fend was founded in 2016, so it is not a very new company. However, its acquisition is considered a highly successful and profitable exit.

The company has raised only $67 million in funding since it was established. In its most recent funding round, which took place nearly two years ago, D-Fend was valued at about $250 million. Its sale for $1.5 billion represents a major increase in value for its investors and founders.

IGP, which led D-Fend’s funding round in 2024, is expected to earn about six times its original investment from the acquisition.

Another major beneficiary is Claridge Israel, which led the company’s second funding round in 2019.

D-Fend has around 200 employees, with most of them based in Ra'anana. The company also has offices in the United States and the United Kingdom.

D-Fend’s advisory board includes former senior leaders from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. military. Their experience and industry connections have helped strengthen the company’s presence and credibility in the American market.

The acquiring company, Motorola Solutions, comes from the well-known Motorola brand, which was once famous for its mobile phones. After failing to keep up with the smartphone market, Motorola was divided into separate businesses. Its mobile phone division was sold to Lenovo, while Motorola Solutions shifted its focus to communications, video security, and public safety technologies, becoming a major player in those industries.

Today, Motorola Solutions is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange and has a market value of about $65 billion.

In recent years, the company has been actively acquiring businesses, especially those involved in drone technology and autonomous systems. Motorola Solutions also operates a development center in Israel, where it works on critical communications, video security, and radio frequency (RF) technologies. The company continues to collaborate closely with Israeli defense and security organizations.

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