Counter-drone security product vendor Department 13 is winging its way to ANZ after signing up a local distribution partner.

The United States company has signed EPE as its regional distribution partner in Australia and New Zealand.

D13 says the deal gives it direct access to the Australian and New Zealand defence and security markets, with EPE having ‘extensive' experience in those markets.

Jonathan Hunter, D13 chief executive, says EPE has already identified potential customers for current and emerging counter drone products.

“Importantly [EPE] has a thorough understanding of the Australasian market and the contract processes involved with regional defence and law enforcement,” Hunter says.

D13, which is listed on the ASX, is developing a commercial counter drone platform that it says uses ‘sophisticated and novel methods' to manipulate drones allowing users to automatically detect drones and stop, redirect or safely land them.

The company says its offering is ideal not just for defence and security organisations but for commercial organisations, helping them deal with ‘the emerging threat of ubiquitous autonomous systems'.

Earlier this month, D13 was granted a US patent to enhance drone defence capabilities against swarms.

Warwick Penrose, EPE chief executive, says the company is experiencing growing demand for effective drone defence systems.

He says drone defence complements EPE's other product lines and leverages the company's understanding of the dynamic security requirements for clients.

EPE supplies Force Protection Electronic Counter-Measures to Australian and New Zealand military, as well as other Australian government agencies and provides a range of bomb disposal technologies to the Australian Defence Forces.