By Mike Stone
WASHINGTON, Aug 20 (Reuters) – U.S. drone and radar maker Powerus said on Thursday it had signed a commercial contract worth approximately $22.3 million to supply counter-drone technology aimed at protecting oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East.
The system would detect, track and classify drone threats, feeding information to a central control hub at the customer’s site to give operators a single picture of aerial activity in the area, the company said.
Powerus did not disclose the identity of the customer or the specific deployment sites.
The contract underscores growing commercial demand for counter-drone defenses in the Middle East, where oil and gas facilities have been targeted during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.
The agreement covers hardware, software, site activation, installation and a 24-month maintenance program, according to the company.
Powerus said it had built the system to allow future integration of a drone interceptor named Guardian, offering a path to expand capabilities beyond detection as threats evolve.
“This commercial contract reflects the direction we believe the counter-drone market is heading — toward integrated, networked protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure,” said Brett Velicovich, co-founder and president of Powerus.
The deal comes as Powerus moves toward a merger with Aureus Greenway Holdings Inc. The companies expect to complete the deal in early October 2026, subject to remaining closing conditions.
Powerus builds autonomous systems for defense and infrastructure protection, including heavy-lift platforms, autonomous air and maritime systems, and mission support technology.
(Reporting by Mike Stone in Washington; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani)
