D-Fend Solutions
Israeli counter-drone company in Ra'anana that takes over hostile drones by radio "cyber-takeover"; co-founded by a former head of Unit 8200's Cyber Access Division; bought by Motorola Solutions for $1.5 billion in 2026
| D-Fend Solutions
| |
|---|---|
| Trade name | D-Fend Solutions A.D. Ltd (די-פנד פתרונות א.ד. בע"מ) |
| Logo |  D-Fend Solutions logo |
| Type | Subsidiary of Motorola Solutions (from 20 August 2026); Israeli company number 515600963 |
| Founded | 6 February 2017 |
| Founder(s) | Zohar Halachmi, Yaniv Benbenisti, Assaf Monsa |
| Headquarters | 13 Alexander Zarchin Street, Ra'anana 4366241, Israel |
| Industry | Counter-drone systems; defence; homeland security |
| Services | EnforceAir radio-frequency "cyber-takeover" counter-drone systems |
| Parent | Motorola Solutions |
| Revenue | $185 million (expected for 2026, according to Motorola Solutions) |
| Homepage | d-fendsolutions.com |
D-Fend Solutions is an Israeli counter-drone company based in Ra'anana. Its EnforceAir system detects drones and uses radio signals to take control of them and land them, a method it calls "RF cyber-takeover".[1][2] It was founded in 2017 by Zohar Halachmi, Assaf Monsa and Yaniv Benbenisti.[3] According to the company, Benbenisti "was also the head of the Cyber Access Division in the Israel Defense Force's 8200 intelligence unit", and Monsa, a graduate of Talpiot, "spent seven years in the Israel Defense Force's 8200 intelligence unit" (Unit 8200).[1] In August 2026 the US company Motorola Solutions completed its purchase of D-Fend for $1.5 billion, which Globes called "the most expensive-ever acquisition of an Israeli defense company".[4][2]
History
According to a summary of the Israeli Registrar of Companies, D-Fend Solutions A.D. Ltd (company number 515600963) was incorporated on 6 February 2017, with its registered address at 13 Alexander Zarchin Street, Ra'anana 4366241.[5] Globes said in 2026 that it "was founded 10 years ago".[2]
In September 2019 D-Fend raised $28 million in a round led by Claridge Israel, with its earlier investor Vertex Israel. It said that in August 2019 the Defense Innovation Unit of the US Department of Defense had selected it after the "Black Dart 2019" counter-drone test.[3] By 2026 it had raised only $65 million, according to Globes. Its early investors were led by Vertex Israel, whose founder Yoram Oron is also known as the founder of the ammunition company Aryt Industries; Vertex invested $6 million in the first round for a stake of about 20%. Other large investors were the Canadian fund Claridge, with more than 10%, and Israel Growth Partners.[2]
Acquisition by Motorola Solutions
On 1 June 2026 Motorola Solutions agreed to buy D-Fend for $1.5 billion. It said that D-Fend's technology was "trusted by government, public safety and enterprise organizations, with thousands of deployments across more than 30 countries", and that it expected 2026 revenue of $185 million.[6] On completing the deal on 20 August 2026 it said that the technology had been deployed at "airports, critical infrastructure, stadiums, military bases and borders in more than 30 countries".[4] Globes noted that Motorola Solutions has been active in Israel since the 1960s and employs hundreds of people there "developing communication and liaison systems for the police, the army and security organizations". It wrote that despite "the variety of potential military applications on the battlefields of Lebanon and Ukraine", D-Fend's technology was mainly used at civilian sites.[2] The company's own website lists "Military and Special Forces" and "Border Protection" among the sectors it serves.[1]
Founders, executives and military service
The company's leadership page gives these military records:[1]
- Yaniv Benbenisti, co-founder and chief product officer: "Yaniv was also the head of the Cyber Access Division in the Israel Defense Force's 8200 intelligence unit, leading hundreds of cyber experts and engineers" (Unit 8200; Intelligence Corps). He had earlier "held management positions at publicly traded intelligence solutions enterprises".
- Assaf Monsa (also spelt Monza), co-founder and chief technology officer: "graduated cum laude from the prestigious Talpiot program" (Talpiot) and "spent seven years in the Israel Defense Force's 8200 intelligence unit".
- Zohar Halachmi, co-founder, chairman and chief executive: now also senior vice-president for counter-drone at Motorola Solutions; formerly a senior executive at Amdocs and ECI Telecom.
- Nadav Arie, vice-president, technology: "During his six years in the Israel Defense Force's 8200 intelligence unit, Nadav managed multiple R&D projects"; formerly a senior security researcher at Kayhut.
- Amit Haimovich, vice-president, sales: spent two decades at Israel Aerospace Industries and "was a pilot in the Israeli Air Force" (Israeli Air Force).
- Uri Nisani, vice-president: "began his career as a Technical Officer in the Israeli Defense Forces, achieving the rank of Major".
- Dafna Bacharach, vice-president, legal: formerly legal counsel for the UAV sector of Elbit Systems' ISTAR division.
The company's advisory board includes the former US Federal Aviation Administration administrator Michael Huerta, the former NASA administrator Charles Bolden and General Glen VanHerck, former commander of US Northern Command.[1]
See also
- Unit 8200
- Talpiot
- Motorola Solutions
- Sentrycs
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 D-Fend Solutions, D-Fend Solutions' Leadership D-Fend Solutions, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Assaf Gilead, Motorola Solutions to buy Israeli co D-Fend for $1.5b Globes, 1 June 2026, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Globes correspondent, Israeli counter-drone co D-Fend raises $28m Globes, 24 September 2019, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Motorola Solutions, Motorola Solutions Completes Acquisition of D-Fend Solutions Motorola Solutions, 20 August 2026, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ Israel.com, D-Fend Solutions Ad Ltd (company number 515600963) Israel.com, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ Motorola Solutions, Motorola Solutions to Acquire D-Fend Solutions, an Industry Leader in Counter-Drone Systems Motorola Solutions, 1 June 2026, accessed 10 November 2026.