Buyer’s guide: 7 questions to ask when choosing a counter-drone solution vendor

Drones are transforming industries, but their rise also poses new security risks. From breaching restricted airspace to endangering critical infrastructure, the need for robust counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions has never been greater.

“Over the last years, a great number of safety and security incidents concerning drones have been reported in Europe, many of which are caused by actors with criminal, illegal or even terrorist intent. Common examples include the transportation of illegal goods into prisons and across country borders, monitoring police activities, cyberattacks, privacy invasion and disruption of air traffic.” The European Commission

But selecting a C-UAS provider is not a simple decision. It requires finding a partner capable of addressing today’s threats while adapting to the ever-evolving landscape of unmanned aerial technology.

This guide outlines key considerations for counter-UAS vendor selection, helping you choose a solution that meets immediate needs while safeguarding your operations for the future.

1. Does the counter-drone vendor have relevant experience?

The first step in selecting a vendor is to evaluate their track record in protecting environments similar to yours. Counter-drone solutions for critical infrastructure, such as airports, industrial sites, and military bases, demands specialised expertise.

Airports, for example, require integration with air traffic control, while energy facilities need advanced detection and response protocols. Only vendors with proven experience in high-risk environments can address these unique challenges effectively.

How to evaluate experience

• Case studies: Review deployments in environments with comparable security needs.
• References: Seek out feedback from clients facing similar challenges to assess the vendor’s reliability.
• Team expertise: Examine the qualifications of the vendor’s management, product, and implementation teams to ensure they possess the necessary skills to support your organisation.

Choosing an experienced vendor ensures that your system is built on a foundation of expertise, reducing the likelihood of missteps during implementation or operation.

2. Is the drone system hardware-agnostic?

A hardware-agnostic counter-UAS solution offers unparalleled flexibility by integrating the most effective sensors, cameras, and radars available, regardless of the manufacturer. Vendors tied to specific technologies may prioritise their own products over better alternatives, which can compromise the system’s performance.

Hardware-agnostic counter-UAS solutions ensure an unbiased approach, allowing the system to evolve with emerging technologies and be tailored to specific operational needs. Vendors reliant on proprietary hardware are often less adaptable, limiting scalability and effectiveness.

How to assess hardware agnosticism

• Do they manufacture sensors? Vendors producing their own equipment may prioritise their products over potentially superior alternatives.
• Commercial partnerships: Strong ties to specific manufacturers can indicate a lack of impartiality.
• Diverse deployments: Review examples of solutions that use a variety of sensors and systems tailored to different sites.

By focusing on vendors that prioritise performance over proprietary systems, you can secure a solution designed for your unique needs.

3. Is the drone defence system integration-friendly?

Effective counter-drone solutions must integrate seamlessly with existing systems, such as vehicle telematics, flight management platforms, and law enforcement networks. An integration-friendly system ensures comprehensive coverage and minimises operational silos.

Closed systems often struggle to adapt to evolving needs, requiring costly upgrades to integrate new features. In contrast, integration-friendly systems streamline operations, reduce information gaps, and allow for cohesive security strategies.

How to assess integration capabilities

• Transparent pricing: Vendors should provide clear cost estimates for integrating new sensors or systems.
• Support for open standards: Compatibility with open standards like Sapient enables easier integration and reduces long-term costs.
• External data integration: The system should support cooperative data sources, such as vehicle telematics, ADS-B for real-time aircraft tracking, and UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) to monitor authorised drones.
• Law enforcement collaboration: In jurisdictions where only law enforcement can deploy mitigation tools, the system should allow for real-time handover of controls.

Integration capabilities are essential for building a cohesive security ecosystem that can adapt to future challenges.

4. Does the system streamline and fuse data efficiently?

In multi-layered C-UAS systems, intelligence fusion is crucial for creating a clear picture of potential threats. Effective fusion combines data from radar, RF, and optical sensors, reducing false positives and enabling security teams to focus on genuine risks.

Without robust fusion capabilities, sensor data can overwhelm operators, leading to delays, false alarms, and even missed threats. A well-integrated C-UAS system provides only relevant, prioritised insights, ensuring timely and effective responses.

How to assess fusion capabilities

• Key processes: The vendor should explain their approach to correlation (tracking objects across sensors), geospatial fusion (precisely locating drones), classification (identifying threats), and risk assessment.
• Algorithm efficiency: Advanced systems should run multiple algorithms simultaneously, improving detection accuracy across various drone types.
• Customisation: Ensure the system can adapt to your site’s specific conditions, improving over time as it learns from operational data.

Strong fusion capabilities are the backbone of actionable insights, enabling your team to act decisively in high-stakes situations.

5. Does the vendor offer tailored solutions for your needs?

Counter-UAS solutions must be customised to address the unique regulatory, environmental, and operational challenges of your site. A one-size-fits-all approach often results in inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.

Customisation ensures the system focuses on your specific requirements, avoiding features you don’t need and optimising performance. This tailored approach enhances operational efficiency and compliance with local regulations.

How to assess customisation

• Scalability: Can the system evolve with your needs, such as adding sensors or new features without a complete overhaul?
• Modularity: Modular systems allow you to build a solution tailored to your site’s specific requirements.
• Track record: Review examples of vendors tailoring solutions for environments similar to yours.
• Compliance: Ensure the vendor has experience meeting local regulatory requirements.

Tailored solutions deliver better results by addressing your site’s precise challenges and operational demands.

6. Is the counter-drone system system future-proof?

As drones and attack strategies continue to evolve, future-proofing C-UAS systems is essential. A scalable, adaptable C-UAS system ensures resilience against new threats and aligns with advancing technologies and regulatory requirements.

Systems without scalability become obsolete quickly, leading to high replacement costs and exposing vulnerabilities. Investing in future-proof counter-drone solutions ensures your organisation remains secure while avoiding unnecessary expenses.

How to assess future-proofing

• Monitoring Innovations: Vendors should demonstrate a process for staying updated on advancements in UAS and counter-UAS technologies.
• Cost of Upgrades: Transparent pricing for future integrations ensures predictability.
• Adaptability: Request examples of past deployments where the system evolved to meet changing threats.

Future-proofing safeguards your investment, ensuring long-term protection and adaptability.

7. What’s the expected ROI on a counter-drone solution?

Evaluating the true ROI of a long-term drone defence strategy requires looking beyond upfront costs to consider long-term value. Key factors include implementation costs, future upgrades, human resources, and risk management.

How to Assess ROI

• Implementation Costs: Account for setup, training, and compatibility with existing systems.
• Multi-role: The same system can be utilised for multiple safety tasks on site, with PIDS (Perimeter Intrusion Detection System) being one of them. This approach can result in a high ROI by reducing the costs associated with deploying separate systems.
• Upgrades: Ensure the vendor provides transparent pricing for future expansions.
• Human Resources: Determine whether the system requires specialised staff, which could add to operational costs.
• Risk Mitigation: A robust ROI analysis should factor in the potential costs of security breaches, including downtime, fines, and reputational damage.

Requesting a customised ROI calculator or cost estimate from the vendor can help clarify the total cost of ownership and long-term savings.

Choosing the right C-UAS for long-term protection

Selecting a C-UAS provider for critical infrastructure is about more than acquiring technology—it’s about forging a partnership with a vendor capable of addressing your unique security challenges and adapting to evolving threats. By prioritising hardware agnosticism, seamless integration, advanced fusion capabilities, and future-proofing, you can secure a solution that provides immediate protection and evolves to meet future demands of your long-term drone defence strategies.

A well-chosen system ensures operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and peace of mind, delivering lasting value in an unpredictable threat landscape.