Five companies join NATO's new counter-drone marketplace with 16 systems
NATO's Communications and Information Agency announced on 5 November that it has selected 16 systems from five companies for the new counter-drone marketplace. Allies can buy directly from the catalogue without a further tender process.
NATO's Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) announced on 5 November that it has chosen 16 systems from five companies for the alliance's counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) marketplace. The agency manages the marketplace, which was first announced in July. Through it, NATO member states can procure equipment straight from the NATO catalogue, with no additional tender process.
The marketplace forms part of NATO's Drone Edge, under which more than USD 40 billion is to be invested in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.
Selected companies
The chosen companies are Alta Ares, Axon Enterprise Inc., Northrop Grumman, OSL UK and Quantum Systems. Their equipment includes static, transportable and on-the-move systems. Each firm has already deployed systems in Allied countries and in Ukraine.
Four reference scenarios
NCIA assessed the systems against four reference scenarios:
- Point Protection – defending a specific high-value asset or site, such as a military installation, critical infrastructure or a command post, through detection, tracking and response.
- Area Protection – covering an area up to 3 km in diameter, such as an airbase or logistics hub, using coordinated sensors and countermeasures.
- Border Protection – monitoring and protecting a 20 km border segment through persistent surveillance, early detection, tracking and coordinated responses.
- Convoy Protection – protecting a moving military convoy up to 300 metres long travelling at up to 50 km/h, using mobile systems.
The framework contracts run for one and a half years and may be extended. NCIA said NATO intends to hold regular competitions so that Allies have access to the newest technologies.