US Border Patrol buys over $1 million of drones

Red Cat Holdings Inc., a provider of sophisticated and complex SUAS products for militaries globally, has announced its subsidiary Teal Drones has made a deal with US Customs and Border Protection. The contract, worth over $1 million, is to provide Teal’s Golden Eagle drones to US Border Patrol.

The drones will provide airborne reconnaissance, surveillance and tracking capability. This enhances situational awareness for field commanders and agents in areas that don’t have traditional surveillance systems or manned air support available.

This award is part of a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) between US Customs and Border Protection and five drone companies, announced in December 2021. It is worth an estimated total of $90 million over a five-year period.

All the drones covered by the BPA are on the ‘Blue UAS’ list of those approved for purchase by the Department of Defense.

Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO, said: “As a market leader in military-grade drones, and especially night-specific drones, we look forward to providing Teal’s Golden Eagle product to the government personnel who are responsible for protecting the American people and safeguarding our borders.

“Because Red Cat has invested in a large, new manufacturing facility for Teal in Salt Lake City, we are confident in our ability to meet the delivery deadline for this significant order, as well as future orders we anticipate under this BPA with US Customs and Border Protection.”

Drones are becoming increasingly seen in militaries around the world, such as the Thai Navy.