Draganfly Demonstrates Advanced Drone Capabilities for Canadian Armed Forces Following MINERVA Working Group Participation

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) completed an exclusive Canadian Armed Forces capabilities demonstration on March 11, 2026 at Area XO in Ottawa, showcasing multiple unmanned aerial systems including Commander 3XL, Overwatch, Apex ISR and FPV tactical drones.

Rhea-AI Summary

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) completed an exclusive Canadian Armed Forces capabilities demonstration on March 11, 2026 at Area XO in Ottawa, showcasing multiple unmanned aerial systems including Commander 3XL, Overwatch, Apex ISR and FPV tactical drones.

Flights ran successfully in freezing rain, demonstrating operational readiness and reliability for persistent reconnaissance, situational awareness and tactical mission support.

Argus Mar 16 session

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News Market Reaction – DPRO

On Mar 16, the day this news came out, DPRO closed 1.10% above the previous close.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus for the Mar 16 session.

Key Figures

Industry experience: 25 years

Industry experience

25 years

Company’s history developing unmanned systems cited in the article

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 27

5 events

1. Feb 27

   Financing closed

   24h Move

   +12.2%

   Closed US$50.0M registered direct offering at US$7.00 per share.

2. Feb 25

   Financing priced

   24h Move

   -15.9%

   Priced US$50.0M registered direct offering at US$7.00 per share.

3. Feb 20

   Advisory appointment

   24h Move

   +5.5%

   Added retired Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier to Military Advisory Board.

4. Feb 19

   Defense strategy role

   24h Move

   -3.7%

   Joined Canadian Army MINERVA UAS Working Group tied to Defence Industrial Strategy.

5. Feb 02

   Defense contract

   24h Move

   +7.1%

   Selected to provide Flex FPV drones and training to U.S. Air Force SOC units.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

uncrewed aircraft systems, unmanned aerial systems, situational awareness, isr

4 terms

uncrewed aircraft systems technical

"MINERVA Uncrewed Aircraft Systems working group, an initiative focused on..."

Uncrewed aircraft systems are aircraft that fly without a person aboard, plus the ground control stations, communication links and support equipment that keep them operating — think of a remote-controlled plane paired with a control team and the tools they need. Investors care because these systems can cut labor costs, enable new services (like deliveries, inspections and surveillance), and create manufacturing and software opportunities while also carrying regulatory, safety and privacy risks that affect revenue and valuation.

unmanned aerial systems technical

"evaluate emerging operational requirements and capabilities for unmanned aerial systems."

Unmanned aerial systems are complete drone setups: the aircraft itself plus the remote control, sensors, communications links and support equipment that let it fly without a person on board. Think of it as a flying robot plus its command center and toolbox. Investors watch these systems because they open new commercial and defense markets, carry revenue and regulatory risks, and can change how goods, data and services are delivered.

situational awareness technical

"designed to support evolving operational needs including persistent aerial reconnaissance, situational awareness..."

Awareness of the real-time business, market and regulatory conditions that could affect an investment; like a driver scanning the road for hazards, it means continuously noting news, price moves, regulatory signals and other forces that change a company’s prospects. Investors rely on situational awareness to react quickly to risks and opportunities, adjust position size, protect capital and seize short‑lived advantages before the environment shifts.

isr technical

"the Draganfly Apex ISR platform, and FPV tactical drone systems."

ISR stands for socially responsible investing (from the French phrase Investissement Socialement Responsable) and means choosing stocks, bonds or funds based on environmental, social and governance criteria in addition to financial return. Like picking a brand that matches your values, ISR matters to investors because it helps align portfolios with personal or institutional priorities, can reduce exposure to companies with regulatory or reputational risks, and can influence demand and valuation for firms deemed more sustainable.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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OTTAWA, ON, March 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning, industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, today announced the successful completion of an exclusive Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) capabilities demonstration held on March 11 at Area XO in Ottawa, Ontario.

The demonstration was conducted in response to operational capability areas identified through the Canadian Army’s MINERVA Uncrewed Aircraft Systems working group, an initiative focused on accelerating the integration of drone and autonomous technologies into future Canadian Armed Forces operations.

The demonstration follows Draganfly’s participation in the Canadian Army’s MINERVA working group last month, where defence stakeholders and industry partners collaborated to evaluate emerging operational requirements and capabilities for unmanned aerial systems.

During the event, members of the Canadian Armed Forces observed multiple unmanned aerial systems and mission capabilities designed to support evolving operational needs including persistent aerial reconnaissance, situational awareness, and tactical mission support.

Systems showcased included the Draganfly Commander 3XL heavy-lift drone platform, the Draganfly Overwatch platform designed for advanced aerial surveillance and situational awareness, the Draganfly Apex ISR platform, and FPV tactical drone systems.

Despite challenging winter conditions and freezing rain across the Ottawa region on March 11, Draganfly successfully conducted multiple flight operations, highlighting the reliability and operational readiness of its drone systems in realistic field conditions.

“We are grateful to the members of the Canadian Armed Forces who took the time to join us and engage directly with our team during this demonstration,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “The role of drone technology in modern defence operations continues to grow rapidly. As a Canadian company with more than 25 years of experience developing advanced unmanned systems, Draganfly is proud to support initiatives like MINERVA that are helping shape the next generation of capabilities that will enhance situational awareness, operational safety, and mission effectiveness for personnel in the field.”

The Canadian Army’s MINERVA initiative is part of its broader modernization efforts aimed at evaluating and integrating unmanned systems across operational units while informing future doctrine, capability development, and procurement strategies.

Through continued collaboration with defence stakeholders and government partners, Draganfly remains committed to advancing Canadian-developed drone technologies that support national security, public safety, and defence innovation.

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a leader in cutting-edge drone solutions and software that are transforming industries and serving stakeholders globally. Recognized for innovation and excellence for over 25 years, Draganfly delivers award-winning technology to the public safety, civil, military, agriculture, industrial inspection, security, mapping, and surveying markets. The Company is driven by passion, ingenuity, and a mission to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to customers worldwide, saving time, money, and lives.

For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

For investor details, visit:
NASDAQ (DPRO)
CSE (DPRO)
FSE (3U8A)

Media Contact

Erika Racicot
Email: media@draganfly.com

Company Contact

Cameron Chell
Chief Executive Officer
(306) 955-9907
info@draganfly.com

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Draganfly (DPRO) demonstrate to the Canadian Armed Forces on March 11, 2026?

Draganfly demonstrated multiple unmanned aerial systems and mission capabilities in live flights to CAF observers. According to the company, showcased platforms included Commander 3XL, Overwatch, Apex ISR and FPV tactical drones for reconnaissance, situational awareness and tactical support.

Which Draganfly drone platforms were shown during the DPRO March 11, 2026 demonstration?

The demonstration featured Commander 3XL, Overwatch, Apex ISR and FPV tactical drone systems in operational flights. According to the company, each platform highlighted specific mission roles like heavy lift, advanced surveillance and ISR capabilities for defence users.

How did weather affect Draganfly's DPRO demonstration for the Canadian Armed Forces?

Flights proceeded despite challenging winter conditions and freezing rain across Ottawa on March 11. According to the company, multiple successful flight operations in those conditions highlighted system reliability and operational readiness in realistic field environments.

What operational needs did the DPRO demonstration address for the Canadian Army MINERVA initiative?

The demonstration addressed persistent aerial reconnaissance, situational awareness and tactical mission support requirements identified by MINERVA. According to the company, the event responded to operational capability areas the working group prioritized for future uncrewed systems integration.

What does the March 11, 2026 DPRO demonstration mean for Draganfly's role in Canadian defence modernization?

The demonstration reinforces Draganfly's engagement with defence stakeholders and MINERVA working group priorities. According to the company, continued collaboration aims to inform doctrine, capability development and procurement while advancing Canadian-developed drone technology for national security.