Defense Metals Showcases Rare Earth Leadership in European Trade Mission Led by Canadian Government

Rhea-AI Summary

Defense Metals (OTCQB: DFMTF) participated in a Canadian government-led European trade mission (Feb 2026) visiting Rome, Munich and Paris to promote the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project and pursue critical-mineral partnerships with European governments and industry.

The company was one of two rare-earth-focused firms on the 17-company delegation, holding B2B meetings and pitch sessions to boost international visibility and prospective supply agreements.

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VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE:35D), a company focused on the development of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project ("Wicheeda Project"), located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, is pleased to announce its participation in a strategic European trade delegation led by Natural Resources Canada ("NRCan") and Invest in Canada, aimed at strengthening critical mineral partnerships across Europe.

The multi-city mission included stops in Rome, Munich, and Paris, bringing together key government officials, industry leaders, and strategic partners to advance collaboration in the critical minerals and rare earth sectors.

The delegation comprised 17 select Canadian companies, with Defense Metals honored to be one of only two rare earth-focused companies included. The mission featured formal pitch sessions and targeted business-to-business ("B2B") meetings designed to foster direct engagement with European stakeholders seeking the secure and sustainable supply of critical minerals.

In Paris, the delegation was joined by the Honourable Timothy Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources further underscoring the importance of strengthening Canada–Europe partnerships in the development of resilient critical mineral supply chains.

Throughout the mission, Defense Metals presented its rare earth development strategy to government representatives, investors, and industrial partners, highlighting Canada's role as a reliable and responsible supplier of critical materials essential to clean energy, defense, and advanced technologies.

Participation in this high-profile delegation reinforces Defense Metals' growing international visibility and positions the Company to capitalize on increasing European demand for diversified rare earth supply sources.

About Defense Metals Corp. and the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project

Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company") is an advanced rare earth elements ("REE") exploration and development company focused on delivering strategically critical metals to Western defence, high-technology, and clean energy supply chains. The Company's primary asset is its 100%-owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

The Wicheeda Project is one of the most advanced undeveloped rare earth deposits in North America or Europe, featuring a robust mineral resource and mining reserve, as detailed in the Company's 2025 Pre Feasibility Study ("PFS") (refer to Company News Release April 7^th, 2025) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The PFS, showed the economic potential of the deposit, supporting future project development.

Defense Metals is committed to advancing the Wicheeda Project through the Feasibility Study ("FS") stage, permitting, and eventually into production positioning the Company to become a reliable supplier of critical rare earths that are essential to modern defence systems, advanced manufacturing, and energy-efficient technologies.

The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: DEFN), the OTCQB Venture Market (DFMTF) and the Frankfurt Exchange (FSE: 35D).

The PFS for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 is preliminary in nature and includes numerous assumptions regarding metallurgy, capital and operating costs, and market conditions.

Mineral reserves and the economic outcomes projected in the PFS are subject to significant uncertainties, and there is no certainty that the results of the PFS will be realized. Additional studies, including a Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") and permitting work, are required before a production decision can be made.

For further information, please visit www.defensemetals.com or contact:

Ali Mahdavi
SVP Corporate Development
+1.416.962.3300
Email: am@spinnakercmi.com

Mark Tory
President and CEO
Email: mark@defensemetals.com 

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding "Forward-Looking" Information

This news release contains "forward‐looking information or statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, any statements (expressed or implied) relating to: advancing the Wicheeda Project and the proposed debt settlement. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "continue," "could," "may," "might," "possible," "potential," "predict," "should," "would" and other similar words and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events, contribution or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements.  Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of rare earth elements, the anticipated costs and expenditures, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company's views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration and metallurgical results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and development and cost estimates, the potential for unexpected costs and expenses and those other risks filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management of the Company, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather and climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to maintain or obtain community acceptance (including First Nations), risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with specifications or expectations, cost escalation, unavailability of personnel, materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action, and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters), risks relating to inaccurate geological, metallurgical, engineering and pricing assumptions, decrease in the price of rare earth elements, the impact of viruses and diseases on the Company's ability to operate, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, loss of key employees, consultants, officers or directors, increase in costs, delayed results, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward–looking statements or forward–looking information, except as required by law.

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SOURCE Defense Metals Corp.

FAQ

Why did Defense Metals (DFMTF) join the February 2026 European trade mission?

To showcase its Wicheeda Rare Earth Project and pursue European partnerships for diversified supply. According to Defense Metals, the company joined the NRCan and Invest in Canada delegation to engage government officials, investors and industrial partners across Rome, Munich and Paris.

What meetings did Defense Metals (DFMTF) hold on the trade mission in Feb 2026?

The company took part in formal pitch sessions and targeted B2B meetings with European stakeholders. According to Defense Metals, these sessions aimed to advance collaboration on secure, sustainable critical mineral supply chains and business engagement.

How significant was Defense Metals' (DFMTF) presence on the 2026 European delegation?

Defense Metals was one of only two rare-earth-focused companies among 17 Canadian delegates. According to Defense Metals, this placement heightened its international profile and access to potential partners and investors across Europe.

Which European cities did Defense Metals (DFMTF) visit during the Feb 2026 mission?

The delegation visited Rome, Munich and Paris to meet European stakeholders and officials. According to Defense Metals, those multi-city stops enabled direct engagement with governments and industry seeking resilient rare-earth supply.

What strategic benefits does Defense Metals (DFMTF) expect from joining the government-led mission?

Increased international visibility and potential commercial partnerships in Europe are the primary benefits. According to Defense Metals, participation positions the company to capitalize on rising European demand for diversified rare-earth supply sources.