DroneShield Could Fly Higher with New Australian Export Plan

An Australian counter-drone developer is applauding a new national defense strategy that may lead to more opportunities in the fight to keep rogue drones from the skies Down Under.

In a recent press release, DroneShield came out in favor of Australia’s recently authorized Defence Export Strategy. The new policy will allow the government to collaborate more closely with defense contractors like DroneShield in a “whole of government” approach “whereby the government has established the Australian Defence Export Office and the office of the Australian Defence Export Advocate [to] focus the governmental assistance available to Australian defense exporters.”

In short, drone-defense companies like DroneShield may garner more government funding and assistance in exporting their anti-drone solutions. “We are heartened by the considered and focused approach of the [Australian government] maximizing the economic and social benefits of Australia’s growing defense export industry,” DroneShield CEO Oleg Vornik said in a press release.

He adds:

“The defense export industry contributes $1.5 billion to $2.5 billion (AUD) a year to Australia’s economy today but it lags compared to its counterparts in other major economies. The government has recognized that, with some help from the government, this status quo can be disrupted. The Australian economy and standing in the world will benefit substantially from this disruption. We believe that the government has come up with a set of measures that will quickly produce tangible results.”

And, those “tangible results’ could lead to more business abroad as the counter-drone industry continues to blossom.

DroneShield’s centerpiece solutions include DroneSentinel and DroneSentry. DroneSentinel is a multi-prone detection product designed to locate rogue drones. DroneSentry detects and neutralizes unmanned aerial bandits using jamming technology. In November, DroneShield demonstrated both products for governmental end-users at its Virginia office.

Currently, DroneShield provides detection coverage for the Boston Marathon. The company also scored a major European victory, protecting the Davos Economic Forum in Switzerland.

“We have a wide range of options on the table, including the United States and Asia, some seemingly more cost-effective than the option of manufacturing our products in Australia would provide,” DroneShield Chairman Peter James said. “The Strategy gives us the comfort that if we were to bring the manufacture of our products and the associated employment to Australia, we will be making the right decision.”