Ondas Secures $3.2 Million Order to Expand the Optimus Drone Infrastructure in the UAE

Rhea-AI Summary

Ondas Holdings (NASDAQ:ONDS) has secured a $3.2 million purchase order from a UAE governmental entity to expand their urban autonomous drone infrastructure. The order supports the UAE's pioneering 'Drone Box' program, which utilizes Ondas' Optimus System for public safety and emergency response.

The Optimus System, operational since 2021, includes autonomous drones, smart airbases, and command-and-control software. Each system can autonomously launch, land, recharge, and swap payloads, providing 24/7 aerial coverage of up to 30 square miles from a single airbase. The network has already conducted thousands of operational drone flights in support of critical governmental services.

This expansion strengthens Ondas' position in global homeland security and defense markets, building upon their existing UAE operations where the system has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing emergency response times.

Positive

• Secured new $3.2M purchase order from UAE government entity
• Thousands of successful operational drone flights completed
• System proven effective in reducing emergency response times
• Expanding presence in global homeland security and defense markets

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Technology Expert

This $3.2 million order represents significant validation for Ondas' Optimus drone platform in mission-critical security applications. The expansion of an existing deployment is particularly noteworthy - it demonstrates the system has successfully met the rigorous operational requirements of government security operations in real-world conditions.

The UAE deployment serves as a powerful reference implementation that Ondas can leverage globally. With thousands of flights already completed, the system has proven reliability in urban environments where regulatory hurdles for autonomous drone operations are typically substantial. This operational track record since 2021 creates a meaningful competitive moat against newer market entrants.

The Optimus system's technical capabilities are impressive - autonomous launch/landing, payload swapping, and 30 square mile coverage from a single base station enables true 24/7 aerial surveillance with minimal human intervention. These capabilities align perfectly with emerging Drone as First Responder (DFR) models being adopted globally.

For context, permanent drone infrastructure deployments remain relatively rare globally, with most drone operations still requiring significant human oversight. Ondas' successful implementation of a fully autonomous network positions them advantageously as this market matures, particularly in security and emergency response applications where response time is critical.

Financial Analyst

This $3.2 million purchase order is materially significant for Ondas, representing approximately 3.6% of the company's $90.1 million market capitalization. For a small-cap technology company, securing an order of this magnitude provides meaningful revenue visibility and demonstrates commercial traction beyond pilot programs.

The expansion nature of this order is particularly valuable - it indicates customer satisfaction with the existing deployment and suggests potential for recurring revenue streams as the infrastructure scales. The UAE implementation serves as both current revenue and a strategic reference customer that could accelerate sales cycles in other regions.

Ondas appears to be executing on its stated strategy to deliver critical autonomous technology to government customers globally. The company's focus on high-value security and public safety applications typically commands premium pricing and stronger margins compared to commercial drone applications.

While a single order doesn't resolve all challenges faced by small-cap technology companies, this expansion validates product-market fit in a specialized high-value segment. The continued adoption by government security agencies provides a foundation for potentially expanding into adjacent markets like critical infrastructure protection, where similar autonomous monitoring capabilities would be valuable.

UAE's Pioneering "Drone Box" Program, Powered by Ondas' Optimus System, is Designed to Establish a Permanent Infrastructure of Autonomous Drones Capable of Rapidly Responding to Public Safety and Emergency Incidents

Optimus Systems are Currently Deployed in the UAE Where Thousands of Flights Have Been Conducted

The Order Strengthens Ondas' Position as a Global Provider of Trusted Defense Technology, Homeland Security and Public Safety Solutions for Governmental and Critical Missions

BOSTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / April 1, 2025 / Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) ("Ondas" or the "Company"), a leading provider of private industrial wireless networks and commercial drone and automated data solutions, announced today that it has secured a $3.2 million purchase order from a governmental entity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The new order supports the continued buildout of urban autonomous drone infrastructure in the UAE and expands the existing Optimus drone network, which is operated by the local government as part of its broader Safe and Smart City initiatives.

"We are witnessing the network effect of the Optimus drone network in UAE," said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas Holdings. "The effectiveness of the Optimus System and its ability to reduce response times of emergency units have been proven during our operations there, and this order further validates the system's value. We are proud to support the UAE's leadership in Drone as First Responder (DFR) technology, which is also developing in the US. We believe that our Optimus system is the most mature and robust platform in the market and certified for such critical security operations. We look forward to replicating this success in other cities around the world."

This project is part of a pioneering "Drone Box" program, which is designed to establish a permanent infrastructure of autonomous drones capable of responding to public safety and emergency incidents within seconds. Powered by Ondas' Optimus System, the network facilitates aerial data collection, real-time video streaming, and mission automation across densely populated urban areas. The systems are currently deployed and have already conducted thousands of operational drone flights in support of critical governmental services.

Under this order, Ondas will supply additional Optimus Systems - each including an autonomous drone, a smart airbase, and advanced command-and-control software. These systems are specifically designed for urban environments and strategic facilities that require rapid security, monitoring, and emergency response. Each drone in the system is capable of performing a wide range of missions, utilizing interchangeable payloads and sensors, with all operations overseen remotely from a centralized command center.

The Optimus System has been deployed as drone infrastructure with real world autonomous security operations since 2021. Each Optimus System can autonomously launch, land, recharge, and swap payloads without human intervention, providing 24/7 non-stop aerial capabilities and covering areas of up to 30 square miles from a single airbase. This order reflects continued momentum for Ondas in global homeland security, public safety, and defense markets, reinforcing the Company's strategy to deliver critical, autonomous technology to governmental and private customers around the world.

About Ondas Holdings Inc.
Ondas Holdings Inc. ("Ondas") is a leading provider of private wireless data solutions via Ondas Networks Inc. ("Ondas Networks") and commercial drone solutions through Ondas Autonomous Systems Inc. via its wholly owned subsidiaries American Robotics, Inc. ("American Robotics" or "AR") and Airobotics LTD ("Airobotics"), which we operate as a separate business unit called Ondas Autonomous Systems.

Ondas Networks is a developer of proprietary, software-based wireless broadband technology for large established and emerging commercial and government markets. Ondas Networks' standards-based (802.16s), multi-patented, software-defined radio FullMAX platform enables Mission-Critical IoT (MC-IoT) applications by overcoming the bandwidth limitations of today's legacy private licensed wireless networks. Ondas Networks' customer end markets include railroads, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, aviation (including drone operators) and government entities whose demands span a wide range of mission critical applications.

Ondas Autonomous Systems Inc. (OAS) specializes in designing, developing, and marketing autonomous drone solutions via its two advanced drone platforms: the Optimus System, the world's first FAA-certified small UAS (sUAS) for aerial security and data capture, and the Iron Drone Raider, a counter-drone system designed to combat hostile drones. Both platforms are highly automated, AI-powered, and capable of continuous, remote operation for critical defense, infrastructure, industrial, and government applications. American Robotics and Airobotics have achieved industry-leading regulatory milestones, including the first-ever FAA Type Certification for the Optimus System and the first drone system approved by the FAA for automated beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations without an on-site human operator.

Ondas Networks, American Robotics and Airobotics together provide users in defense, homeland security, public safety and other critical industrial and government security and infrastructure markets with improved connectivity, situational awareness and data collection and information processing capabilities.

For additional information on Ondas Holdings, visit www.ondas.com or follow Ondas Holdings on X formerly known as Twitter and LinkedIn. For additional information on Ondas Networks, visit www.ondasnetworks.com or follow Ondas Networks on X and LinkedIn. For additional information on American Robotics, visit www.american-robotics.com or follow American Robotics on X and LinkedIn. For additional information on Airobotics, visit www.airoboticsdrones.com or follow Airobotics on X and LinkedIn. For additional information on Ondas Autonomous Systems, follow us on LinkedIn.

Information on our websites and social media platforms is not incorporated by reference in this release or in any of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-Looking Statements 
Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law. 

Contacts
IR Contact for Ondas Holdings Inc.
888-657-2377
ir@ondas.com

Media Contact for Ondas
Escalate PR
ondas@escalatepr.com

Preston Grimes
Marketing Manager, Ondas Holdings Inc.
Preston.grimes@ondas.com

SOURCE: Ondas Holdings Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the value and purpose of Ondas Holdings' (ONDS) new UAE contract?

Ondas secured a $3.2 million order to expand the UAE's urban autonomous drone infrastructure for public safety and emergency response capabilities.

How long has the Ondas Optimus System been operational in the UAE?

The Optimus System has been deployed for real-world autonomous security operations in the UAE since 2021.

What is the coverage area of a single Optimus System drone base?

Each Optimus System can cover areas of up to 30 square miles from a single airbase, providing 24/7 non-stop aerial capabilities.

What capabilities does the Ondas Optimus drone system provide in the UAE?

The system provides autonomous launch, landing, recharging, and payload swapping, enabling aerial data collection, real-time video streaming, and mission automation across urban areas.