Ondas Holdings (NASDAQ:ONDS) gained 6% on Wednesday after revealing it has been awarded a major government contract to build and deploy an autonomous border surveillance and protection network powered by thousands of drones.
Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS) was selected as prime contractor following a competitive bidding process that included several leading defense firms. The company said OAS outperformed rivals across the evaluation’s core performance metrics.
The multi-year program will require OAS to develop a complete ecosystem of technologies, including multipurpose UAVs, ground-based launch infrastructure, and advanced AI-enabled software. The first purchase order is expected in January 2026, and the project is slated to run for approximately two years.
“This award is a strong validation of Ondas’ leadership in autonomous security technologies and our increasing role as a defense prime contractor,” said Eric Brock, Chairman & CEO of Ondas.
The system is being designed to deliver round-the-clock intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities, along with autonomous drone-swarm operations and threat response across difficult border environments. As the lead contractor, OAS will oversee integration efforts and combine its autonomous aviation technology with contributions from select partners.
Ondas Holdings operates through two divisions: Ondas Autonomous Systems, focused on drone-based intelligence and automation, and Ondas Networks, its private wireless communications unit. The forthcoming border security platform will incorporate technologies such as real-time sensor fusion, automated swarm coordination, and AI-driven threat identification.