Canada's $80 Billion Defence Modernization Package Signals Strategic Shift—Draganfly Positioned for Rapid Growth with Integration of DND-Specified Radio Systems

Rhea-AI Summary

Canada has announced an $80 billion defense modernization package, with Draganfly (DPRO) positioned to benefit from the increased focus on drone technology and domestic manufacturing. The company has successfully integrated Department of National Defence (DND)-specified radio communications systems into its drone platforms, enhancing its eligibility for upcoming federal UAS procurements. Approximately 20% of the $80B investment is expected to be allocated to next-generation battlefield technologies, with drones taking a significant portion. Draganfly's domestic manufacturing capabilities, existing military customer base, and compliance with Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy make it well-positioned to capitalize on upcoming RFIs and RFPs expected in late 2025, with potential contract awards by Q1 2026.

Positive

• Successful integration of DND-specified radio communications system into Draganfly's platforms
• Potential access to significant portion of $80B Canadian defense modernization package
• Strong positioning as domestic manufacturer aligning with government's preference for Canadian-made solutions
• Existing adoption by Canadian and US Military customers validates platform capabilities
• Early compliance and first-mover advantage for upcoming RFPs in late 2025

Negative

• Contract awards not guaranteed despite positioning
• Competitive landscape in defense contracting may impact market share
• Actual revenue impact may not materialize until Q1 2026 or later

Insights

Defense Industry Analyst

Draganfly strategically positioned for potential contracts from Canada's $80B defense modernization with DND-compatible drone systems.

This press release represents a significant potential opportunity for Draganfly (DPRO) within Canada's newly announced $80 billion defense modernization package. The announcement reveals that Draganfly has successfully integrated Department of National Defence (DND)-specified radio communications systems into its drone platforms – a critical technical milestone that aligns with the government's stated priorities.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is the timing and positioning. With analysts projecting that approximately 20% of the total defense envelope will be directed toward next-generation battlefield technologies including drones, Draganfly appears strategically aligned with several key priorities:

• Domestic manufacturing presence in Canada (critical under the Industrial and Technological Benefits policy)
• Integration capabilities with existing military communications infrastructure
• Established relationships within Five Eyes defense ecosystems
• Control over proprietary airframe and avionics intellectual property

The technical achievement of integrating DND-specified radio systems represents more than just product development – it potentially pre-qualifies Draganfly for upcoming procurement opportunities. The press release indicates that formal RFPs for defense-grade drones may emerge in late 2025, with potential contract awards by Q1 2026.

However, investors should note that while this positions Draganfly favorably, the release doesn't confirm any actual contracts or specify Draganfly's potential share of this market. The language suggesting Draganfly is "positioned to contribute" indicates opportunity rather than secured business. Competition for these defense contracts will likely be intense, despite Draganfly's apparent technical readiness and Canadian manufacturing footprint.

Toronto, ON , June 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a decisive move to fortify Canada’s national security capabilities, Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced an $80 billion long-term defence investment package focused on technological modernization, domestic industrial capacity, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). This landmark announcement, inclusive of robust support for drone development and Canadian manufacturing, marks a generational shift in federal defence procurement strategy.

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer. Draganfly is positioned to contribute to objectives within the Our North Strong and Free (ONSAF) defence policy expansion. Draganfly’s interoperable and multi-mission family of UAS platforms is strategically aligned with stated DND priorities such as “Expanding and Enhancing Existing and Emerging Military Capabilities” related to border security and Arctic sovereignty. Demonstrating this adaptability, Draganfly confirms the successful integration and demonstration of a Department of National Defence (DND)-specified radio communications system into its flagship drone platforms, in addition to several other communication system integrations to support interoperability with existing assets. These integrations help prime the company for eligibility in upcoming federal UAS procurements that emphasize secure, interoperable, and sovereign systems.

Draganfly, with multiple R&D and Manufacturing sites in Canada, is one of the world’s longest standing commercial UAS manufacturers. The capacity for expansion of domestic production, in combination with long standing strategic relationships that Draganfly holds with various related technologies providers across various Five Eyes regions uniquely positions Draganfly as a technology integrator and solutions provider.

This week's developments signal a major policy realignment by Ottawa, anchoring defence spending to strategic domestic priorities such as resilient supply chains, sovereign manufacturing, and interoperability with NATO and Five Eyes partners. The emphasis on drone capabilities and homeland industrial content is particularly relevant in an era marked by asymmetric threats and hybrid warfare.

Prime Minister Carney’s announcement effectively maps a multi-year demand curve for Canadian aerospace, cybersecure communications, and autonomous systems providers. Analysts anticipate that a minimum of 20% of the $80B envelope will be earmarked for next-generation battlefield technologies, with drones expected to account for a significant share of this investment.

Draganfly’s ability to support existing architecture and protocols while providing the ability to rapidly test and adopt emerging technologies with domestic manufacturing and engineering expertise is poised to support these pillars of the Defence Modernization package. Adoption of Draganfly product for testing and use by Canadian and US Military Customers and Prime Contractors through 2024 and 2025, validates its platforms for critical applications such as reconnaissance, force protection, and logistics resupply. This positions Draganfly as one of the few Canadian OEMs and Supply Chain Managers capable of delivering mission-ready systems that meet both tactical requirements and industrial policy criteria.

Strategic Implications for Capital Markets and Domestic Industry

• Domestic Preference: The federal focus on Canadian manufacturing aligns with the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy, making domestically-integrated platforms poised to win procurement bids.
  
• Supply Chain Security: In an age of escalating global tensions, Canada is reducing reliance on foreign critical components. Draganfly’s control over its own airframe and avionics IP gives it a defensible advantage.
  
• Dual-Use Upside: Beyond military contracts, the integrated communication system enhances the company’s value proposition in emergency response, disaster relief, and public safety markets.
  
• Revenue Catalysts: Analysts expect RFIs and RFPs for defence-grade drones to accelerate in the second half of 2025, with contract awards potentially materializing as early as Q1 2026. Draganfly’s early compliance could provide a first-mover advantage.
  

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) is the creator of quality, cutting-edge drone solutions, software, and AI systems that revolutionize how organizations can do business and serve their stakeholders. Recognized as being at the forefront of technology for over 25 years, Draganfly is an award-winning industry leader serving the public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying markets. Draganfly is a company driven by passion, ingenuity, and the need to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to its customers around the world with the goal of saving time, money, and lives.

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Media Contact:
Erika Racicot
Email: media@draganfly.com

Company Contact:
Email: info@draganfly.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking ‎‎‎‎information” as ‎‎‎‎defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information can ‎‎‎‎generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‎‎‎‎‎“may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, ‎‎‎‎‎“estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar ‎‎‎‎terminology. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎and information are based on forecasts of future ‎‎‎‎results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and ‎‎‎‎assumptions that, while believed by ‎‎‎‎management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant ‎‎‎‎business, economic and ‎‎‎‎competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements ‎‎‎‎include, but are not ‎‎‎‎limited to, statements with respect to Draganfly’s interoperable and multi-mission family of UAS platforms being strategically aligned with stated DND priorities such as “Expanding and Enhancing Existing and Emerging Military Capabilities” related to border security and Arctic sovereignty as well as the statement regarding analysts’ anticipation that a minimum of 20% of the $80B envelope will be earmarked for next-generation battlefield technologies, with drones expected to account for a significant share of this investment. Forward-‎‎‎‎looking statements and information are subject to various ‎known ‎‎and unknown risks and ‎‎‎‎‎uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to ‎control or ‎‎predict, that ‎‎‎‎may cause ‎the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be ‎materially ‎‎different ‎‎‎‎from those ‎expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions ‎about ‎‎such ‎‎‎‎risks, uncertainties ‎and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential ‎‎‎‎‎‎‎impact of epidemics, ‎pandemics or other public health crises, including the ‎COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial ‎‎‎‎condition; the ‎‎‎successful integration of ‎technology; the inherent risks involved in the general ‎‎‎‎securities markets; ‎‎‎uncertainties relating to the ‎availability and costs of financing needed in the ‎‎‎‎future; the inherent ‎‎‎uncertainty of cost estimates; the ‎potential for unexpected costs and ‎‎‎‎expenses, currency ‎‎‎fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, ‎competition, loss of key ‎‎‎‎employees and other related risks ‎‎‎and uncertainties disclosed under the ‎heading “Risk Factors“ ‎‎‎‎in the Company’s most recent filings filed ‎‎‎with securities regulators in Canada on ‎the SEDAR ‎‎‎‎website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ‎‎‎no obligation to update forward-‎looking ‎‎‎‎information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-‎‎‎looking information represents ‎‎‎‎‎managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ‎‎‎No forward-looking ‎‎‎‎statement ‎can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ‎‎‎Accordingly, readers ‎‎‎‎are advised not to ‎place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ‎‎‎information.‎

FAQ

What is the size of Canada's defense modernization package and how might it affect DPRO stock?

Canada announced an $80 billion defense modernization package, with approximately 20% ($16 billion) earmarked for next-generation battlefield technologies, including drones. This could significantly benefit DPRO as a domestic manufacturer.

What makes Draganfly (DPRO) eligible for Canadian defense contracts?

Draganfly has successfully integrated DND-specified radio systems, has multiple R&D and manufacturing sites in Canada, and complies with Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy requirements.

When are the first defense contract awards expected for Draganfly (DPRO)?

RFIs and RFPs are expected to accelerate in the second half of 2025, with potential contract awards materializing as early as Q1 2026.

What competitive advantages does Draganfly (DPRO) have in the Canadian defense market?

Draganfly has domestic manufacturing capabilities, control over airframe and avionics IP, existing military customers, and successful integration of DND-specified communication systems.

How much of Canada's $80B defense package will be allocated to drone technology?

While specific drone allocation isn't detailed, approximately 20% ($16B) will go to next-generation battlefield technologies, with drones expected to receive a significant portion of this amount.