US firm secures $22.3m deal to protect Middle East energy sites from drones

Commercial electronics firm Power U.S. has inked a $22.3 million agreement to provide anti-drone systems for safeguarding oil and gas facilities in the Middle East. The United States-based manufacturer of drones and radar systems announced the contract on Thursday, affirming a rising commercial interest in counter-drone defense systems in the region. The deal, not disclosing the client's identity nor the exact locations of deployment, includes hardware, software, installation, and a 24-month maintenance program.

Power U.S. envisions the system as a detection, tracking, and identification tool for drone threats, providing the client's central control system with vital information and offering operators a comprehensive view of aerial activity in the area. The company further designed the system to seamlessly integrate with the Guardian drone interception platform, thereby expanding defensive capabilities as threats evolve.

Brett Velicovich, Power U.S.'s co-founder and president, commented that the contract underscores the growing trend of integrated and connected protection for critical oil and gas infrastructure. Power U.S. specializes in autonomous defense and infrastructure protection systems, including heavy-lift platforms, unmanned aerial and maritime systems, and mission support technology.