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How Australia is Preparing to Counter Growing Threat of Small Drones.


Amid the increasing use of drones in modern conflicts, exemplified by the war in Ukraine, Australia is initiating an ambitious program to bolster its defense capabilities against this evolving technological threat. The Australian Ministry of Defence has unveiled a strategic project, Land 156, aimed at designing and deploying an integrated system to counter small drones. Leveraging the expertise of its national industry, Australia seeks to protect its armed forces, infrastructure, and bases from increasingly sophisticated drone attacks.

Several Australian companies are already positioned as key players in this project including DroneShield (Picture source: DroneShield)


The Land 156 program follows a structured and ambitious timeline. An initial call for expressions of interest was issued on November 21, 2024, with an official request for tender scheduled for January 30, 2025, and closing on March 30. The strategic partner, known as the Systems Integration Partner (SIP), will be selected by mid-2025 to oversee the integration and deployment of this counter-drone capability. A baseline operational capability is expected by December 2025, while a fully functional solution is planned for 2032.

Drones, particularly NATO Class 1 and 2 systems (weighing up to 24 kilograms), have proven effective for reconnaissance and lethal strikes. Their widespread use in the Ukrainian conflict has highlighted their ability to threaten infrastructure, armored vehicles, and deployed soldiers alike. This threat is not new; as early as the 2010s, the Islamic State used commercial drones equipped with rudimentary explosive payloads, albeit with limited success. However, modern drones, equipped with electronic countermeasures and autonomous navigation systems, now demand more advanced approaches to neutralize them.

Australia is not immune to this reality. In addition to the risks posed by drones in overseas operations, unauthorized aerial systems increasingly overfly domestic bases, posing a growing threat. The Land 156 project addresses this strategic need by developing a scalable, adaptable solution capable of responding to emerging threats across varied environments.

The envisioned system under Land 156 will integrate sophisticated sensors and effectors. These include active and passive radars, electro-optical systems, acoustic and thermal detectors, alongside effectors such as radio-frequency jamming systems, kinetic weapons, and high-energy lasers. Together, these technologies will enable the detection, tracking, and neutralization of drones in both domestic and austere operational settings, protecting diverse targets such as expeditionary bases, vehicles, and deployed personnel.

Several Australian companies are already positioned as key players in this project. Sydney-based DroneShield specializes in radio-frequency detection and jamming systems, with over 1,000 of its products currently deployed in Ukraine. These systems have benefited from field feedback to refine their effectiveness. EOS, headquartered in Canberra, offers a combined approach integrating kinetic effects and high-energy lasers through solutions like the Slinger system and the Titanis platform. Meanwhile, Anduril Australia, which collaborates with the US Special Operations Command, is conducting a three-year trial with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at Darwin to test counter-drone solutions.

Experts agree on the growing complexity of challenges posed by drones. In a recent presentation, EOS CEO Dr. Andreas Schwer highlighted that early electronic jamming solutions, initially effective, are increasingly bypassed by drones equipped with anti-radiation shielding and autonomous navigation capabilities. Future solutions, he noted, must combine jamming, kinetic neutralization, and directed energy weapons.

The rapid evolution of drones also demands agile and adaptable countermeasures. David Goodrich, CEO of Anduril Australia, emphasized that small, affordable drones represent a persistent threat, requiring continuous innovation in defensive measures. Anduril’s approach relies on modular, software-driven solutions to rapidly adapt to these evolving challenges.

The Land 156 project represents a decisive step in Australia's effort to develop sovereign capabilities to address modern threats. By leveraging a dynamic national industry and advanced technologies, this program aims to ensure the security of its armed forces and critical infrastructure against the proliferation of drones. As the Ukrainian conflict underscores the critical importance of counter-drone systems, Australia is positioning itself at the forefront of this technological challenge, with an operational solution targeted for 2032 and interim capabilities expected by 2025.


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