The global drone market is taking off. Projected to soar from about $8.8 billion in market value to more than $82.5 billion by 2032, it’s already sending stocks like ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA), AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV), Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO), L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) sky high.
Helping, Chinese manufacturers currently dominate the global drone market, with market share estimated anywhere from 70% to 90%. But that scenario is now changing in a big way. The U.S. defense industry, state and local law enforcement agencies, and even commercial entities are banning Chinese-made drones and components due to national security concerns. That’s another major catalyst for the drone stocks we just mentioned.
Even better, drones are seeing big demand in the U.S. military, for crop monitoring and spraying with agriculture, logistics for delivery and warehousing, in the oil and gas industry, in mining and construction, in emergency management, and in renewable energy projects.
Look at ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA), For Example.
ZenaTech, a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), Enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today announces the launch of Drone as a Service specifically for US Defense and Government agencies, and two new partnerships with consulting and government relations firms to assist in selling these services.
ZenaTech’s ZenaDrone subsidiary has retained the services of Bromelkamp Government Relations and Winning Strategies Washington to provide Congressional lobbying and defense business development consulting services. Bromelkamp is a defense-focused business development consulting firm to small and medium technology companies that are growing their business with the US Department of Defense and other security-related federal agencies. Winning Strategies is an independent bipartisan federal government relations and grants procurement firm.
“These partnerships will be instrumental in building relationships with the various agencies as we launch our DaaS service and expand our sales efforts in this sector,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. “Bromelkamp and Winning Strategies have decades of defense industry experience and understand the complexities and culture of the military. As defense priorities shift toward autonomy, resilience, and secure supply chains, ZenaTech is uniquely positioned to deliver scalable, mission-ready drone solutions that align with the US military and the defense industry. Our Drone as a Service model is designed to accelerate adoption, lower barriers, and support operational agility.”
With a growing demand for advanced drone solutions in security, logistics and tactical operations, the DaaS model allows defense customers to deploy mission-specific drone solutions without the need for capital equipment purchases. To accelerate market entry, ZenaTech has onboarded two seasoned military consultants to lead business developments, identify pilot programs, and secure funding partnerships within the defense sector.
The ZenaDrone 1000 is an autonomous, military grade aerial-solutions built for multi-mission flexibility, featuring a patented foldable-wing design, 40 kg payload capacity, and 1 hour flight time. Its onboard AI, thermal imaging, LiDAR, and multi spectral sensors enable real-time ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), border patrol, and base surveillance with minimal operator input. The modular cone enables fast swapping of mission-specific payloads – like HD Cameras and sensors, making it ideal for tactical resupply, SAR (search and rescue), infrastructure inspection, and operations in high-risk restricted environments. Rugged, AI-powered and rapidly deployable, the ZenaDrone 1000 enhances situational awareness and operational reach for defense forces.
The ZenaDrone IQ Nano and IQ Square are compact, high-performance drone solutions engineered for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), indoor security, and tactical inspection in complex military environments, The IQ Nano, excels in GOS-denied environments like military warehouses or confined infrastructure, offering obstacle avoidance, and precise maneuverability. The IQ Square, with extended flight time and payload options, supports ISR, CBRN monitoring and perimeter patrols. Lightweight and field-ready, both drones deliver rapid situational awareness for mission-critical deployments.
ZenaTech is actively pursuing Green UAS and Blue UAS certifications to meet stringent federal standards. With recent restrictions on Chinese-made drones in military and government operations, these certifications are mandatory for vendors aiming to participate in DoD and allied agency contracts. ZenaTech’s compliant drone solutions open access to high-value defense contracts and align with increasing demand for secure aerial solutions.
The DaaS business model offers customers reduced upfront costs and convenience ─ there is no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals. The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs.
Other related developments from around the markets include:
AeroVironment announced a new contract with the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modernize the Netherlands’ Puma UAS fleet with expanded capabilities for enhanced situational awareness and operational effectiveness. Under the contract, the Dutch MoD is modernizing its Puma 3 AE UAS fleet with advanced capabilities that empower forces to carry out mission-critical operations autonomously and securely—even in GPS-denied and contested environments. Upgrades will boost survivability, strengthen communications and add the option for vertical take-off and landing to maximize operational agility.
Draganfly, an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer, is pleased to announce the first deliveries of its revolutionary Flex FPV (First Person View) systems under an order from a major U.S. military prime contractor supporting land systems operations for allied forces. The Draganfly Flex FPV system is built around a modular core architecture that allows operators to seamlessly switch between different arm and propeller sizes in seconds—without specialized tools. This adaptability enables a single Flex Core to support a variety of mission profiles ranging from reconnaissance and training to tactical payload delivery. Capable of speeds exceeding 149 Kilometres per hour, the Flex FPV is designed to support traditional FPV flight and assisted modes, including autonomous waypoint missions. With the ability to carry payloads up to 10 lbs, including via picatinny rail or custom mounts, the system delivers unmatched agility and flexibility in high-intensity environments.
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract by the U.S. government to develop a next-generation security processor to secure communication devices across the globe. L3Harris’ efforts will enhance the performance of security and management infrastructure for communication hardware. This includes safeguarding weapons systems against current and future cyber threats. “This award builds on L3Harris’ 30-year legacy of developing and producing secure communication hardware infrastructure solutions for the U.S. and our international partners,” said Nino DiCosmo, President, Maritime, L3Harris. “Our technology ensures the highest levels of security, resiliency, performance and lethality for weapons systems when used in highly contested operations.”
Lockheed Martin is pioneering a competitive environment designed to accelerate the testing and operational deployment of artificial intelligence to support warfighters in their missions. Lockheed Martin's AI Fight Club™ is a comprehensive testing ground to simulate how AI systems perform in air, land, sea, and space domains. "There has never been a more important time to prove which implementations of AI technologies are the best, to help the United States stay ahead of the threats facing our nation and allies," said John Clark, Lockheed Martin's senior vice president of Technology and Strategic Innovation. "AI Fight Club uses advanced simulation and visualization to evaluate AI in realistic and complex scenarios that mimic the challenges of modern warfare. Teams with the best AI will battle each other to determine the most robust, reliable and effective models."
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