ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone Subsidiary Positioned for U.S. Defense and Government Demand for NDAA-Compliant Drones from Recent FCC Public Notice

Rhea-AI Summary

ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) says its U.S.-based subsidiary ZenaDrone is positioned to meet rising U.S. defense and government demand after an FCC public notice on Dec 22, 2025 updated the Covered List and restricted authorization of new foreign-made UAS equipment. The company cites increased interest in NDAA-compliant, American-made drone platforms, its pursuit of Blue UAS certification, and U.S. manufacturing and component facilities as strategic advantages.

ZenaDrone products are at pilot and certification readiness stages and have completed paid trials with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve.

Positive

• FCC updated Covered List on Dec 22, 2025 restricting foreign-made UAS
• Pursuit of Blue UAS certification for NDAA compliance
• Arizona manufacturing and U.S.-aligned Taiwan components commissioned
• Paid trials with U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve
• ZenaDrone 1000 capable of lifting ~40 kg

Negative

• ZenaDrone products remain at pilot and certification readiness stages
• Blue UAS certification and NDAA approvals are still pending

Key Figures

Q3 2025 revenue growth 1,225% year-over-year Reported in 6-K for Q3 2025

2025 YTD revenue growth 6x revenue growth First nine months of 2025 per 6-K

Q2 2025 revenue growth over 500% year-over-year Q2 2025 per 6-K

H1 2025 revenue growth over 250% First six months of 2025 per 6-K

GG Mars stake 6.694% of common stock Schedule 13D filed 2025-09-24

Debt conversion amount $753,360 Convertible line of credit converted on April 13, 2025

Shares from conversion 430,000 shares at $1.752 Convertible line of credit per Schedule 13D

Target market size USD $5.5 Billion Market for IQ Square drone public safety use per 6-K

Market Reality Check

$3.94 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,106,201 is about 10% above the 20-day average of 1,001,965, indicating mildly elevated interest ahead of this news. normal

Technical Price at $3.38 is trading below the 200-day MA at $3.97, despite the recent rebound.

Peers on Argus 2 Up

ZENA gained 7.99% with modestly elevated volume, while related tech/AI peers like BKKT and ARBE in momentum screens rose between 6–13%. Sector peers in the reference list mostly showed smaller single-digit gains, suggesting this move is more stock-specific than a broad sector rotation.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 30	DaaS acquisitions	Positive	+8.3%	Completed three DaaS acquisitions expanding North American footprint and services.
Dec 23	Solar DaaS acquisition	Positive	+4.8%	Acquired Vara 3D to expand DaaS into high-growth solar infrastructure market.
Dec 18	AI R&D center	Positive	+15.4%	Announced Baton Rouge AI center to support defense and quantum initiatives.
Dec 16	Defense engagement	Positive	+4.5%	Accelerated US defense engagement with demos and expanded Mesa drone facility.
Dec 11	DaaS expansion deal	Positive	-1.5%	Signed offer to acquire surveying firm to grow DaaS in agriculture and wildfire.

Pattern Detected

Recent corporate and defense-focused announcements have usually led to positive, aligned price reactions, with only one minor divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the past several months, ZenaTech has focused on expanding its Drone-as-a-Service network and deepening U.S. defense ties. Acquisitions on Dec 11, 23, and 30, 2025 broadened surveying and solar infrastructure coverage, while a Q1 2026 Baton Rouge AI R&D center and expanded Mesa, Arizona drone facilities advanced defense-oriented capabilities. Most of these updates saw positive price reactions. Today’s announcement about NDAA-compliant U.S. drone positioning and FCC-driven demand trends extends this defense and government alignment narrative.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights ZenaTech’s positioning of its ZenaDrone subsidiary for U.S. Defense and government demand as FCC actions limit new foreign-made UAS equipment. The focus on American-made, NDAA-compliant platforms, Blue UAS certification pursuit, and U.S. manufacturing ties into a broader strategy documented across recent acquisitions and defense initiatives. Investors may watch progress on certifications, defense pilot programs, and execution at facilities like the Arizona plant as key markers following this policy-driven opportunity, alongside sustaining revenue growth levels reported in 2025 filings.

Key Terms

NDAA-compliant regulatory

"supporting favorable demand trends for domestic, NDAA-compliant drone manufacturers."

NDAA-compliant means that a product, supplier, or company meets the rules in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act that bar certain foreign technologies and require specific security practices. For investors, compliance matters because it determines whether a business can sell to the U.S. government, avoid fines or bans, and reduce supply‑chain or reputational risk—similar to passing a background check that lets you bid on a sensitive contract.

UAS regulatory

"restricting authorization of new foreign-made UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) equipment"

UAS stands for Unmanned Aircraft System, the complete setup that lets a remotely piloted aircraft (commonly called a drone) fly safely — including the aircraft itself, the ground controller, communications links and supporting equipment. Investors watch UAS because rules, technology and demand for tasks like surveying, delivery or aerial inspection directly affect companies’ sales and regulatory costs; think of it as a vehicle plus its keys, radio and support crew that together determine whether it can operate profitably.

ISR technical

"drone solutions for ISR, inspection, critical cargo, and infrastructure protection"

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.

VTOL technical

"a medium-sized VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) rugged construction drone"

VTOL stands for vertical take-off and landing and describes aircraft that can lift off and land straight up and down instead of needing a runway, like a helicopter combined with an airplane. Investors care because VTOL designs open new markets for short-range transport, air taxis, cargo delivery and defense applications, and they bring specific technical, regulatory and manufacturing risks and costs that can affect a company’s revenue potential and timeline for profits.

counter-UAS technical

"plans to develop, patent, and accelerate counter-UAS technology for future deployment"

Counter-UAS (counter-unmanned aircraft systems) are tools and tactics used to detect, track, and disable or divert drones that pose a threat to people, property, or operations. Think of them as a combination of a security camera, alarm system, and net that can find an unwanted flying device and stop it before it causes harm. Investors care because demand, regulation, and deployment of these systems affect revenue, contract opportunities, legal risk, and the valuation of companies that build or use them.

drone swarms technical

"features obstacle avoidance and AI-driven drone swarms or fleets"

Drone swarms are groups of small, coordinated unmanned aircraft that operate together to perform tasks more effectively than a single drone, like a flock of birds moving as one. Investors care because they can reshape industries—lowering costs or creating new services in logistics, agriculture, and defense—while also raising regulatory, security and ethical risks that can affect company value and government spending priorities.

AI technical

"specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS)"

Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that enables machines to mimic human thinking and learning, allowing them to analyze information, recognize patterns, and make decisions. For investors, AI matters because it can improve how businesses operate, create new products, or identify opportunities faster and more accurately than humans alone, potentially impacting company success and market trends.

quantum computing technical

"enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions for business and government"

Quantum computing is a type of advanced technology that uses the principles of quantum physics to perform calculations much faster than traditional computers. It can process vast amounts of information simultaneously, potentially solving complex problems that are currently impossible or take too long with regular computers. For investors, this technology could lead to breakthroughs in areas like cryptography, data analysis, and optimization, impacting financial markets and security systems.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 06, 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 for business and government, today announces its strategic alignment with recent U.S. government’s actions restricting new foreign-made drone equipment, which has the potential to positively position its ZenaDrone U.S.-based drone subsidiary for U.S. Defense and Government demand. Additionally, recent developments in South America have underscored the growing role of drone-based intelligence and situational awareness in U.S. military operations, supporting favorable demand trends for domestic, NDAA-compliant drone manufacturers.

“Recent developments reinforce the clear reality that drones are now foundational to national security operations. The U.S. is moving quickly to secure trusted supply chains and strengthen its response to drone threats,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “We believe ZenaDrone is strategically positioned for success within this environment, including our pursuit of Blue UAS certification, ensuring full NDAA-compliant drone platforms, and our drone manufacturing facilities based in the U.S. We continue our ongoing focus on delivering secure, and compliant drone solutions for ISR, inspection, critical cargo, and infrastructure protection, which we believe meet the evolving needs of defense and government customers.

On December 22^nd, 2025, the FCC’s (Federal Communications Commission) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau issued a public notice that updated the Covered List, restricting authorization of new foreign-made UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) equipment—including dominant foreign drone maker, DJI—based on national security determination. The FCC clarified that drones already authorized and in use are not immediately impacted. This list targets equipment that poses an unacceptable risk to the national security and safety of Americans. These regulatory developments underscore a shift toward trusted and compliant drone technologies, positioning ZenaDrone for increased adoption of its American-made, NDAA-compliant (National Defense Authorization Act) drone platforms across defense, public-sector, and government applications.

Further, management believes the current FCC updates, combined with other recent U.S. defense policy directives, may benefit the company’s pursuit of U.S. Defense and Government business by:

• Rising demand for NDAA-compliant, trusted U.S. drone platforms, as federal users prepare for constrained availability of newly authorized foreign-made drone models. ZenaDrone’s Arizona drone manufacturing and assembly plant, and U.S.-aligned Taiwan-based NDAA drone component parts manufacturing subsidiary are both being commissioned for operations in new and expanded facilities
• Expanded deployment opportunities and counter-UAS requirements driven by increased U.S. emphasis on situational awareness, coordination, and operational resilience. ZenaDrone’s platform supports ISR, autonomous cargo delivery and inventory management applications, extending its relevance across defense use cases. ZenaDrone also plans to develop, patent, and accelerate counter-UAS technology for future deployment

ZenaDrone’s multi-function AI drone systems for government and defense are currently at various pilot and certification readiness stages and include: 

• The ZenaDrone 1000, a medium-sized VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) rugged construction drone capable of lifting ~40 kg, with AI-enabled autonomy, and secure communications via its proprietary Drone Net system. Designed for inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications, critical cargo applications, and border patrol via a gas version currently under development, being designed for longer flights. It has undergone paid trials with both the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve for applications, including critical cargo delivery such as temperature-controlled medical supplies
• The IQ Nano, a compact indoor drone (starting size 20″×20″), built to operate in GPS-denied environments like warehouses or military facilities for inventory management via barcode scanning and security applications, features obstacle avoidance and AI-driven drone swarms or fleets
• The IQ Square, a VTOL drone (starting size 40”X40”) engineered for line-of-sight land surveys, infrastructure inspections, road and bridge inspections, and defense reconnaissance tasks
  

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 business applications. 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, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus defense, agriculture, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive exceptional operational efficiencies, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing its U.S. DaaS business and network of locations through acquisitions.

About ZenaDrone  

ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous business 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 industrial surveillance, monitoring, inspection, tracking, process automation, and defense applications. Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications in agriculture and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouses, and the IQ Square is an outdoor drone designed for land surveys and inspections use in commercial and defense sectors.

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 and IQ Nano; 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.‎

FAQ

What did the FCC public notice on Dec 22, 2025 mean for ZENA?

The FCC updated the Covered List, restricting authorization of new foreign-made UAS, which ZenaTech says could increase demand for NDAA-compliant U.S. drones.

How is ZenaDrone (ZENA) positioned for U.S. defense contracts?

ZenaDrone highlights U.S. manufacturing in Arizona, a U.S.-aligned Taiwan components unit, paid trials with U.S. forces, and pursuit of Blue UAS certification.

What NDAA-compliant certifications is ZenaDrone pursuing for ZENA?

ZenaDrone is pursuing Blue UAS certification to position its platforms as NDAA-compliant for defense and government buyers.

What are ZenaDrone 1000 capabilities mentioned by ZENA?

The ZenaDrone 1000 is a medium VTOL drone with AI autonomy, secure Drone Net communications, and ~40 kg lift capacity.

Have ZenaDrone systems been tested with U.S. military units for ZENA?

Yes; the company reports paid trials with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve for applications including critical cargo delivery.

What risks remain for ZenaTech (ZENA) in accessing defense business?

Key risks include products still at pilot/certification stages and pending Blue UAS/NDAA approvals before wide deployment.