DroneShield Leads Response to Rising Airport Drone Threats with New Counter-Drone White Paper and Security Assessment Initiative

Sydney, Australia – 24 October 2025 – DroneShield, a global leader in counter-drone technology, today announced the release of its latest White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports, alongside a strategic collaboration with SRI Group, an independent aviation security and technology advisory company led by former U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Deputy Administrator John Halinski.

The White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports, was developed to help airports and regulators worldwide understand the scale of the drone threat, the technology available now, and the best practice frameworks available to address it. DroneShield authored the paper to advance global dialogue and policy on protecting airspace, due to civil aviation being increasingly at risk. But the Company’s role does not end with thought leadership. To ensure that airports can take meaningful next steps, DroneShield is partnering with SRI Group to provide independent, vendor-neutral Counter-UAS Threat & Risk Assessments.   

Image: White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports

From Best Practices to Real Action

SRI Group, led by John Halinski, brings unmatched credibility to this initiative. As former Deputy Administrator of the U.S. TSA and a 25-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Halinski has overseen aviation security operations worldwide, reformed risk-based security strategies, and worked directly with international aviation stakeholders. Under his leadership, SRI Group developed the Counter-UAS Threat & Risk Assessment platform that delivers the strategic intelligence airport leadership requires to identify critical vulnerabilities, prioritise mitigation investments, and build compelling business cases for counter-drone programs that protect passengers, preserve operational integrity, and address evolving airspace threats.

The Threat

Airports have long prioritised safety above all else, yet the proliferation of drones is creating new and complex challenges in maintaining secure skies. Recently in September  2025, Copenhagen Airport, Scandinavia's busiest aviation hub, was forced to shut down for nearly four hours after unidentified drones infiltrated its airspace. The closure resulted in 77 flight cancellations and 217 delays, causing significant financial losses for airlines through flight diversions, passenger accommodations, and operational disruptions.

“DroneShield is doing more than publishing a paper—they are creating a pathway for airports to act,” said John Halinski, Principal at SRI Group. “By offering airport leadership access to independent Counter-UAS Threat & Risk Assessments, DroneShield is ensuring that decisions are based on objective data and operational realities. It shows a real commitment to the safety of airports and the passengers they serve.”

At the upcoming Airports Council World Annual Assembly, Conference and Exhibition in Canada, DroneShield will host SRI Group at its stand, where airport executives can initiate the drone threat assessment process. Qualified leaders will then receive a tailored assessment and recommendation report from SRI Group, providing actionable insights to move counter-drone programs forward.

“This is about more than technology, it’s about leadership,” said Oleg Vornik, Chief Executive Officer of DroneShield. “With the release of Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports and our collaboration with SRI Group, we’re not only driving awareness but delivering the tools and insights airports need to protect themselves from aerial threats.”

Download the White Paper: Best Practices for Counter-Drone Deployment at Civil Airports.

Assessments can be accessed at https://droneshield.vesselscale.com/intake-form