In a strategic move that could reshape the counter-drone technology landscape, Ondas Holdings announced plans to acquire Sentrycs, an Israeli-based leader in drone detection and neutralization systems. The acquisition, revealed in a press release Monday, marks Ondas’ ambitious expansion in the rapidly evolving drone security sector.
The deal, expected to close in the coming months, will integrate Sentrycs’ specialized anti-drone capabilities with Ondas’ existing drone infrastructure technologies. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, but market analysts suggest the acquisition represents a significant investment in addressing growing concerns about unauthorized drone activity across sensitive infrastructure.
Sentrycs has built a reputation for its advanced radio frequency (RF) detection systems and countermeasures that can identify, track and neutralize unauthorized drones. Their technology has been deployed in various security-sensitive environments, from airports to government facilities, offering protection against aerial threats that have become increasingly sophisticated.
“The drone security market is experiencing unprecedented growth as organizations worldwide confront the reality of airspace vulnerabilities,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas Holdings. “Integrating Sentrycs’ technology into our portfolio positions us to deliver comprehensive solutions that address critical infrastructure protection needs.”
According to recent market research from Drone Industry Insights, the counter-drone sector is projected to grow from approximately $1.5 billion in 2023 to over $7.7 billion by 2030. This explosive growth reflects mounting concerns about potential drone threats to critical infrastructure, public safety, and privacy.
Sentrycs brings valuable technological capabilities and an established customer base across government and commercial sectors. Their systems employ a multi-layered approach to drone defense, utilizing advanced radar, radio frequency analysis, and optical sensors to detect unauthorized aerial vehicles, even in complex urban environments.
The acquisition aligns with Ondas’ existing drone ecosystem strategy. The company already owns American Robotics, which develops autonomous drone systems for industrial and agricultural applications, and Airobotics, which provides automated drone solutions for homeland security and smart city applications.
What makes this acquisition particularly noteworthy is how it positions Ondas as both a drone technology provider and a counter-drone solution developer – essentially playing both sides of the rapidly evolving unmanned aerial systems market.
For infrastructure operators, transportation hubs, and government facilities, the threat from unauthorized drones has evolved from theoretical to practical concerns. Incidents like the 2018 Gatwick Airport disruption, where drone sightings grounded flights for 36 hours affecting over 140,000 passengers, demonstrate the real-world impact of drone intrusions.
The Federal Aviation Administration reported nearly 2,000 drone sightings by pilots, citizens, and law enforcement in 2022 alone, highlighting ongoing challenges in managing airspace security. Meanwhile, military applications of drone technology in recent conflicts have accelerated development in both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Sentrycs’ technology addresses these concerns through a combination of detection, identification, and neutralization capabilities. Their systems can identify drone make and model, track flight paths, and employ countermeasures ranging from signal jamming to more advanced mitigation techniques.
“Joining forces with Ondas allows us to scale our technology to meet growing global demand,” said Sentrycs CEO Matan Melamed in the announcement. “Our combined expertise will accelerate development of next-generation solutions that address evolving threats in the drone security landscape.”
The acquisition comes at a time when regulatory frameworks for counter-drone technologies are still evolving. In the United States, the FAA Reauthorization Act and recent Department of Homeland Security initiatives have begun establishing clearer guidelines for drone detection and mitigation systems, especially around critical infrastructure.
Industry observers note that this regulatory clarity, combined with increasing incident reports, is driving substantial investment in the counter-drone sector. Morgan Stanley’s aerospace analysts project that government spending on counter-drone systems could exceed $3 billion annually by 2026 in North America alone.
For Ondas, the acquisition represents a strategic diversification that could provide insulation against market fluctuations while creating potential synergies across their drone technology portfolio. The company’s stock showed modest gains following the announcement, reflecting cautious optimism from investors about the strategic direction.
As drone adoption continues to accelerate across industries, the parallel demand for effective security measures presents substantial growth opportunities. The Sentrycs acquisition positions Ondas to capitalize on both trends, potentially establishing the company as a comprehensive provider in the drone ecosystem.
The counter-drone market remains highly fragmented, with numerous startups and defense contractors competing for market share. This acquisition may trigger further consolidation as companies seek to build more integrated capabilities and achieve scale advantages in what has become an increasingly competitive landscape.
With drone technology continuing its rapid evolution and deployment across industries, the race to develop effective countermeasures has intensified. Ondas’ acquisition of Sentrycs represents another significant step in this ongoing technological contest between drone capabilities and the systems designed to monitor and control them.
