Ondas (ONDS) boosts defense business with Rotron Aero acquisition
Ondas Inc. (ONDS) said this week that it has acquired UK-based Rotron Aero, a developer of advanced unmanned aerial systems and long-range autonomous platforms designed for extended-reach operations and autonomous strike missions.
Ondas said that the acquisition will allow it "to meet the growing demand for cost-effective mass scale technology on the modern battlefield."
It noted that by integrating Rotron Aero's technology, it will "add next-generation, attritable one-way autonomous attack systems with long-range strike capabilities." The platforms developed by Rotron Aero are designed to operate within Ondas' existing systems architecture.
"Modern conflicts demand systems that can operate at range, persist over time, and execute missions without continuous human control," Ondas chairman and CEO Eric Brock said in a statement. "Rotron Aero will strengthen Ondas' ability to deliver long‑range autonomous attack platforms as part of a fully integrated system‑of‑systems."
Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The latest acquisition continues an aggressive push by Ondas to expand its defense-focused business, beginning in November with a $35 million investment in Performance Drone Works (PDW), a manufacturer of advanced robotics for the defense sector that focuses on building unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used in combat missions.
A day later, the Florida-based company announced that it was acquiring Roboteam Holdings, a manufacturer of tactical unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that are used for a range of defense operations.
Ondas said at the time that it expected Roboteam to add $3 million to $4 million in revenue in the fourth quarter for 2025 and is projecting $30 million in revenue from the acquisition in 2026.
Mark Green, Ondas' global head of corporate development and M&A, said in a statement that Rotron Aeros will “secure a vital strategic footprint within the UK and NATO ecosystem” and provide it with "fast-track access to major programs through deep-rooted relationships with the UK Ministry of Defence.”
“This acquisition is a pivotal step in our trajectory toward becoming a recognized leader in our core defense markets,” Green added.
Ondas' defense work goes global
Ondas also said last week that its Optimus drone was granted Blue List status by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) to support the US military.
Securing Blue List status for its Optimus drone means that it is now listed on the US Department of War's authoritative directory of approved, secure commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and components that are compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Being NDAA-compliant involves several key guidelines, which includes having components that are manufactured through a supply chain limited to countries that are allies of the United States. There is an especially strict ban on components manufactured in China.
The Optimus drone was manufactured by Ondas subsidiary American Robotics.
Meanwhile, Ondas announced on Tuesday that its fully own subsidiary Airobotics has secured a new strategic contract with governmental defense customer in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The award supports the deployment of Ondas' autonomous unmanned aerial capabilities for national security missions. The contract is expected to be executed over multiple phases, with initial deliveries beginning this year and potential follow-on orders anticipated as deployments expand.
Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.
Ondas' stock fell nearly 15% on Wednesday, but it's unclear what led to the drop.