Leader and KJR Deploy AI Drones at Skyfire 2025 In Canberra.
Leader and KJR Deploy AI Drones at Skyfire 2025 – Leader Security and KJR deployed AI-powered drone technology at Canberra’s Skyfire 2025, marking the first time a commercial security company has delivered live drone surveillance at a major Australian public event.
Skyfire has been a key fixture on the Canberra calendar since 1989, drawing more than 120,000 spectators for a fireworks and aerial display over Lake Burley Griffin. This year’s event saw Leader and KJR undertake a live trial of drone-borne ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), supported by high-resolution streaming and AI-powered post-event analysis.
This year a fleet of 7 drones, including DJI Dock 3 units with the new DJI Matrice 4TD, was deployed to deliver real-time aerial views of crowd behaviour, traffic movement and site operations. The system fed secure live video to event managers and emergency services, allowing rapid decision-making in response to emerging threats or congestion.
“This was a true market-first for Australia,” said Leader Security general manager, Troy Cassell.
“No security provider or event organiser in the country has ever utilised drones in this way before. We successfully demonstrated how drone technology can transform security and event management, significantly enhancing real-time decision-making.”
More than 170GB of drone footage was collected for analysis by KJR’s AI-based data analytics team. These systems are now reviewing crowd flows, vehicle tracking and congestion points to support improved planning and emergency coordination for future large-scale events.
“We want KJR’s AI-powered remote data technology to be a game-changer, and we’re really excited to be working with Leader Security who are really shaking things up in the industry,” said Aaron Bell, General Manager of Remote Data Technologies at KJR.
“This technology will revolutionise event management. It can provide real-time situational awareness and AI analytics as well as much deeper post-event analytics. By analysing vast amounts of data collected from drone and fixed camera footage, we can generate actionable insights that improve event management, security planning, and public safety.”
The trial, which required coordination between pilots, drones, operational envelopes and control hubs, was described by Andrew Hammond, General Manager at KJR, as the culmination of months of planning.
“Deploying drone-borne ISR around Lake Burley Griffin for Skyfire 2025, the biggest mass gathering event of the year, was the culmination of months of planning and preparation; delivering the safest Skyfire ever, with no security incidents reported,” Hammond said.
“It’s easy to underestimate the amount of complexity and coordination required to execute a mission like this with minimal issues. Drawing together multiple pilots, drones, operating envelopes and operation hubs; we learnt a lot and are very excited to do it all again next year.”
Canberra security people can check out Leader’s drone solution at SAGE this Thursday November 20 at the Realm Hotel – register here, learn more about Leader here or read more SEN news here.
“Leader and KJR Deploy AI Drones at Skyfire 2025 In Canberra.”
