Advanced counter-UAS capabilities at Red Sands 2025 in Saudi Arabia, strengthening regional security and operational readiness.

From Dawn to Dusk: Advancing Counter-UAS Capabilities at Red Sands 2025

MyDefence, together with our partner MLSCO, was proud to participate in Red Sands 2025, conducted from September 7 to 14, 2025. Hosted by U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) in partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the exercise represented the largest counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) live-fire event ever held in the Middle East.

This year’s Red Sands directly addressed the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems by deploying multi-layered, networked defenses. Passive RF sensors and acoustic detection arrays were integrated into a joint C2 network, enabling real-time identification and elimination of aerial threats. A close-in defensive layer featured Drone Defeat Rounds (DDRs), specialized munitions that spread multiple projectiles to disable low-flying drones attempting to breach inner perimeters.

The exercise also highlighted the role of integrated command-and-control systems and modular defeat solutions for drone swarms, demonstrating how layered defenses can be rapidly adapted to dynamic operational environments.

“True operational superiority in counter-UAS technology is achieved when intuitive user interfaces empower rapid, precise threat detection and localization. The integration of advanced plugins like ATAK transforms situational awareness, delivering actionable intelligence in real time and ensuring that frontline teams stay ahead of evolving aerial threats.”

– Nicolai Søndergaard Laugesen, Chief Revenue Officer at MyDefence

Strengthening Regional Security Through Partnership

By working alongside U.S. and Saudi forces, MyDefence contributed directly to the shared mission of:

Enhancing regional security through proven C-UAS capabilities.
Accelerating the operational testing of layered and networked counter-drone systems.
Ensuring readiness against increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.

Looking Ahead

Red Sands 2025 reaffirmed that counter-UAS dominance depends on speed, adaptability, and integration. MyDefence is delivering solutions that turn these principles into operational reality on the front line of modern defence.

We look forward to building on these lessons in future Red Sands exercises and continuing our role in safeguarding forces, infrastructure, and national security against the evolving drone threat.