ZenaTech Initiates New Operations in Ukraine to Accelerate Production of Counter-UAS Interceptor Systems
Rhea-AI Summary
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) has initiated manufacturing operations in Ukraine to accelerate production of its counter-UAS interceptor systems. The Ukraine facility is planned as a primary production hub for the Interceptor P-1, targeted to sell for under $5,000 USD, and to support deliveries to U.S. and Gulf defense customers while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The company is recruiting local engineers and technicians and working with legal and compliance experts on export and trade controls; further operational milestones will be provided in coming months.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Positive
- Initiated active manufacturing operations in Ukraine to expand global production
- Interceptor P-1 targeted to sell for under $5,000 USD
- Facility positioned to accelerate deliveries to U.S. and Gulf nation defense customers
Negative
- None.
News Market Reaction – ZENA
On the day this news was published, ZENA gained 9.80%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +7.3% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 28 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $11M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $128.39M at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
ZENA fell 10.92% while sector peers showed mixed moves; notable peer HPAI appeared on the momentum scanner, dropping 9.47% without news, but other peers were flat to modestly up or down. This points to a largely stock-specific reaction rather than a broad sector move.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31 | Underwater AUV prototype | Positive | +12.8% | Announced IQ Aqua autonomous underwater vehicle prototype for defense and commercial use. |
| Mar 26 | Conference presentations | Positive | -6.5% | Planned investor and industry conference presentations on drone interceptors and AI tech. |
| Mar 24 | Integrated counter-UAS system | Positive | +0.8% | Began developing integrated counter-UAS system pairing Interceptor P-1 with Zena AI software. |
| Mar 19 | Interceptor P-1 pricing | Positive | +5.4% | Detailed Interceptor P-1 single-use interceptor drone targeted to sell under $5,000. |
| Mar 17 | Interceptor P-1 development | Positive | +6.0% | Announced low-cost, single-use autonomous interceptor drone development for counter-UAS roles. |
Recent product and defense-tech announcements have more often coincided with positive price moves, making today’s double-digit decline on expansion news a departure from that pattern.
Over the past few weeks, ZenaTech has repeatedly highlighted defense-focused drone initiatives. On Mar 17, it announced development of the Interceptor-P1 autonomous interceptor drone, followed by pricing and counter-UAS positioning updates on Mar 19 and an integrated counter-UAS system on Mar 24. A new underwater AUV prototype was disclosed on Mar 31. Today’s Ukraine manufacturing expansion continues this defense and interceptor build-out theme.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An amended Form F-3 shelf registration dated February 20, 2026 permits ZenaTech to issue up to $250,000,000 in various securities, with zero recorded usage to date. This provides capacity for future capital raises subject to prospectus supplements and conditions.
Market Pulse Summary
The stock moved +9.8% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with ZenaTech’s recent pattern, where multiple drone and counter-UAS announcements have been followed by gains after news such as the Interceptor P-1 and IQ Aqua updates. Investors could weigh this Ukraine manufacturing expansion against the existing $250,000,000 shelf capacity and prior dilution events, assessing whether operational execution and funding choices support sustained strength.
Key Terms
counter-uas technical
drone as a service technical
saas technical
export and trade controls regulatory
schedule 13d regulatory
convertible line of credit financial
form f-3 shelf registration regulatory
form 3 regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Ukraine operations will be structured for full regulatory compliance to support U.S. defense and Gulf nation adoption
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces it has initiated the establishment of active drone manufacturing operations in Ukraine. This initiative marks a significant stepping stone for the expansion of ZenaTech's global production capabilities and positions the company to accelerate delivery of its counter-UAS interceptor systems to defense customers worldwide including Gulf nations and allied partners. ZenaTech views Ukraine as a strategic long-term manufacturing location, combining battlefield-tested expertise with competitive production economics.
“Ukraine represents both a strategic manufacturing base and a real-world proving ground for drone technology,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “Our autonomous interceptor drone systems are purpose-built for the modern battlefield, and establishing manufacturing operations in Ukraine demonstrates our dedication to delivering combat-ready solutions with the scale, speed, and compliance that defense customers require. This operation is intended to directly advance our mission to become a leading provider of counter-UAS capabilities for the U.S. Department of War and our Gulf nation partners.”
ZenaTech's planned Ukraine manufacturing facility is intended to serve as a primary production hub for the company's Interceptor P-1 one-way expendable interceptor drone, targeted to sell for under
ZenaTech is currently working with legal and compliance experts to set up and structure its Ukraine operations and is actively recruiting local operations personnel which will include qualified engineers and manufacturing technicians. The company is committed to compliance with all applicable regulations including export and trade controls. Further updates on facility set up and operational milestones achieved will be provided over the upcoming months.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical applications for business, government and defense. Since 2017, the Company has leveraged its software development expertise and grown its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone, to innovate and improve customer inspection, surveying, monitoring, safety, security, and compliance, and maintenance processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive speed, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing its DaaS business and global network of locations through acquisitions.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous drone solutions that can incorporate machine learning software, AI, predictive modeling, Quantum Computing, and other software and hardware innovations. Created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector, its specialization has grown to multifunctional drone solutions for surveying, inspection, tracking, process automation, and defense applications.
Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouse and logistics sectors, the IQ Square is an outdoor drone designed for power washing and inspections use in commercial and government sectors, and the IQ Quad is for land surveys.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
investors@zenatech.com
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
investors@zenatech.com
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square, IQ Nano, IQ Quad, Interceptor P-1, ZenaDrone 2000, and IQ Glider; ZenaTech's ability to develop products for markets as currently contemplated; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ in the Company’s Form F-1, Form 20-F and other filings filed 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.
