Meeting the UAS threat at home and in our region
This article originally appeared in The Australian.
Written by Tyson Sara, Chief Executive Officer at CMAX Advisory.
Australia is emerging as a global centre of excellence in counter-drone technology. From the battlefields of Ukraine to the skies above crowded public events, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are transforming both modern conflict and civil security, and Australian innovation is playing a key role in the global response, but more needs to be done.
A range of local and international companies have developed new and innovative technologies quickly and are already capability success stories. Their capabilities — spanning communications, detection and effectors — are being deployed across Europe, North America, and the Indo-Pacific. It is a demonstration of how companies are not only innovating for the defence of their own countries but also supplying trusted solutions to our partners and allies. These systems are also being developed with allied interoperability in mind, which allows for Australian technologies to be integrated seamlessly into coalition operations, joint task forces, and regional partnerships.
Much of today’s thinking on counter-UAS (CUAS) has been shaped by Europe, particularly Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That conflict has shown how low-cost drones used at scale can inflict serious damage and disruption, even to a much larger force and destroy high value platforms. It has also demonstrated the need for integrated defence systems that combine detection, tracking, and neutralisation, supported by training and battlefield-ready doctrine.
But we cannot afford to think of drones only in the context of European wars. Closer to home, UAS are emerging as a tool of terrorists, criminals, and grey-zone state actors. From disrupting airports to surveillance of critical infrastructure, drones are being used in increasingly hostile ways. CUAS capabilities are essential not only on the battlefield but also at home to protect events and critical infrastructure.
Image: DroneSentry example combination (top-bottom) – Bosch MIC 7100i optical sensor, DroneShield’s DroneSentry-X Mk2 (Detect Only), and Echodyne EchoShield radars on a tripod
Estimates vary widely, but the global commercial drone market is projected to be worth between US$60 billion and north of US$100 billion by 2030, depending on the methodology and scope of analysis. As capabilities improve and costs fall, increasingly sophisticated drones are becoming widely available, making the threat more urgent, not just for militaries but for civil authorities.
However, Australia has not fully integrated CUAS thinking into our defence posture, doctrine, and force structure. Our bases and facilities are largely undefended against the UAS threat. While Defence and law enforcement have demonstrated some capability on detection, there is no whole-of-government strategy that ensures CUAS systems are routinely embedded in operations, exercises, and asset protection. Incorporating such scenarios into exercises, contingency planning, and wargaming is essential to ensure forces are trained to respond decisively under pressure.
Legal and regulatory challenges remain a key barrier. A patchwork of responsibilities across Defence, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), federal agencies, state police, and telecommunications law makes it difficult to deploy counter-drone technologies in civilian contexts. Questions of jurisdiction, authority, and permitted response levels often result in hesitation or delay. What is clearly needed is a nationally consistent framework that allows for timely, lawful, and effective counter-drone action when threats emerge.
Our strategic thinking must also catch up. While Australia is investing in long-range strike, nuclear-powered submarines, and hardened northern bases, we have yet to define our counter-UAS needs in the maritime domain or across Southeast Asia and the South Pacific — all regions where drone threats are likely to proliferate. The Royal Australian Navy is beginning to explore shipboard UAS defences, but doctrine and acquisition planning still lag behind the pace of threat evolution.
At the platform level, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example. Australia is manufacturing three advanced armoured vehicles for domestic use and export: the Bushmaster, Redback, and Boxer. Thales has already begun integrating counter-drone technology into upgraded Bushmasters. Extending this approach across all platforms would not only enhance their survivability but also demonstrate our ability to embed CUAS systems into interoperable, combined-arms solutions.
Australia supports counter-UAS capabilities for the world, but we must do more to ensure we are applying those capabilities at home through integrated doctrine, strong policy, and a legal environment that enables rapid response. As the threat from drones grows in scale, sophistication, and intent, our ability to detect and defeat them must grow even faster.
CUAS is no longer a niche concern. It is a foundational element of national defence on land, at sea, and in the skies above our cities.