Enable breadcrumbs token at /includes/pageheader.html.twig

U.S. Army Expands Drone Defense Marketplace to More Allies

The JIATF 401 aims to share counter-drone capabilities with partner nations.

The U.S. secretary of the Army has signed agreements with three more allies, enabling them to procure C-UAS technologies via the drone defense marketplace. Credit: hamara-stock.adobe.com

According to a U.S. Army article written by Lt. Col. Adam Scher, the U.S. secretary of the Army has signed agreements alongside leaders from Australia, Poland and the Republic of Korea, allowing them to procure counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) technologies through the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF 401) drone defense marketplace. The JIATF 401 specifically focuses on developing and fielding C-UAS capabilities that target small aircraft, like drones.

The drone defense marketplace, which was launched in February, is available to users across the Defense Department and other federal agencies to find and purchase C-UAS solutions. Powered by an Army indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract, the marketplace offers customers a growing list of validated C-UAS equipment, product comparisons and the ability to place orders immediately via the common hardware systems electronic catalog, according to a U.S. Department of Defense news article.

The goal of signing agreements with allies and partner nations is to provide them with timely access to counter-drone technologies. The Army has also signed agreements with the United Kingdom and Romania, enabling them to procure C-UAS technologies via the marketplace.

“We are continuing to expand the market for counter-UAS,” said Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF 401. “We understand that our allies and partners want to purchase American-made counter-drone technologies. The JIATF 401 marketplace helps aggregate that demand, ensuring our defense industrial base is ready to scale production and meet the growing needs of our coalition.”

On April 15, the JIATF 401 announced its first four purchases completed via the drone defense marketplace. The order, valued at $13 million, included low-collateral defeat effectors, sensor systems, radars and electronic warfare systems.

According to Scher, the Army’s goal is to expand the marketplace to 25 partner nations by the end of this summer.