STOCK TITAN

Balko Technologies Enters into Agreement with Draganfly for Integration of Advanced Modular LiDAR Drone Solutions; Multiple Orders Placed

Rhea-AI Impact
(Moderate)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
(Neutral)
Tags

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) has been selected as the primary UAS provider by Balko Technologies, a company specializing in LiDAR payloads and post-processing software. The partnership involves the integration of Balko's LiDAR products with Draganfly's Commander 3XL and Apex UAS platforms.

Under the agreement, Balko becomes an official distributor of Draganfly's products in North America, focusing on industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring applications. Multiple purchase orders have been received for the Commander 3XL paired with Balko's Connectiv LiDAR sensor, with one delivery completed in Q1.

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) è stata selezionata come fornitore principale di UAS da Balko Technologies, un'azienda specializzata in payload LiDAR e software di post-elaborazione. La partnership prevede l'integrazione dei prodotti LiDAR di Balko con le piattaforme UAS Commander 3XL e Apex di Draganfly.

In base all'accordo, Balko diventa un distributore ufficiale dei prodotti Draganfly in Nord America, concentrandosi su applicazioni industriali, energetiche e di monitoraggio ambientale. Sono stati ricevuti diversi ordini di acquisto per il Commander 3XL abbinato al sensore LiDAR Connectiv di Balko, con una consegna completata nel primo trimestre.

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) ha sido seleccionada como el proveedor principal de UAS por Balko Technologies, una empresa especializada en cargas útiles LiDAR y software de post-procesamiento. La asociación implica la integración de los productos LiDAR de Balko con las plataformas UAS Commander 3XL y Apex de Draganfly.

Según el acuerdo, Balko se convierte en un distribuidor oficial de los productos de Draganfly en América del Norte, enfocándose en aplicaciones industriales, energéticas y de monitoreo ambiental. Se han recibido múltiples órdenes de compra para el Commander 3XL junto con el sensor LiDAR Connectiv de Balko, habiéndose completado una entrega en el primer trimestre.

드래건플라이 (NASDAQ: DPRO)는 발코 테크놀로지스에 의해 주요 UAS 공급자로 선정되었습니다. 발코 테크놀로지스는 LiDAR 탑재 장치 및 후처리 소프트웨어를 전문으로 하는 회사입니다. 이 파트너십은 발코의 LiDAR 제품을 드래건플라이의 Commander 3XL 및 Apex UAS 플랫폼과 통합하는 것을 포함합니다.

계약에 따라 발코는 북미에서 드래건플라이의 공식 유통업체가 되며, 산업, 에너지 및 환경 모니터링 응용 프로그램에 중점을 둡니다. 발코의 Connectiv LiDAR 센서와 함께 Commander 3XL에 대한 여러 주문이 접수되었으며, 첫 분기에 한 건의 배송이 완료되었습니다.

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) a été sélectionnée comme fournisseur principal de UAS par Balko Technologies, une entreprise spécialisée dans les charges utiles LiDAR et les logiciels de post-traitement. Ce partenariat implique l'intégration des produits LiDAR de Balko avec les plateformes UAS Commander 3XL et Apex de Draganfly.

Dans le cadre de l'accord, Balko devient un distributeur officiel des produits Draganfly en Amérique du Nord, en se concentrant sur les applications industrielles, énergétiques et de surveillance environnementale. Plusieurs commandes ont été reçues pour le Commander 3XL associé au capteur LiDAR Connectiv de Balko, avec une livraison effectuée au premier trimestre.

Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) wurde von Balko Technologies, einem Unternehmen, das sich auf LiDAR-Nutzlasten und Nachbearbeitungssoftware spezialisiert hat, als primärer UAS-Anbieter ausgewählt. Die Partnerschaft umfasst die Integration von Balkos LiDAR-Produkten mit Draganflys Commander 3XL und Apex UAS-Plattformen.

Im Rahmen der Vereinbarung wird Balko offizieller Distributor von Draganflys Produkten in Nordamerika und konzentriert sich auf industrielle, energetische und umweltüberwachende Anwendungen. Es wurden mehrere Bestellungen für den Commander 3XL in Kombination mit Balkos Connectiv LiDAR-Sensor erhalten, wobei eine Lieferung im ersten Quartal abgeschlossen wurde.

Positive
  • Secured distribution partnership with Balko Technologies for North American market
  • Multiple purchase orders received for Commander 3XL with LiDAR integration
  • First delivery already completed in Q1
  • Expansion into industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring sectors
Negative
  • None.

Insights

This partnership represents a significant technological advancement for Draganfly's market position. The integration of Balko's specialized LiDAR systems with Draganfly's Commander 3XL and Apex platforms creates a comprehensive solution addressing diverse industrial needs.

The modular approach is particularly noteworthy - it enables customization across varied performance requirements and budgets, critical for expanding market reach in industrial sectors where application-specific solutions drive adoption. LiDAR integration substantially enhances Draganfly's value proposition, enabling high-precision aerial mapping capabilities essential for infrastructure inspection, volumetric analysis, and environmental monitoring.

What's most compelling is that this isn't merely a theoretical partnership - the completed Q1 delivery and multiple purchase orders demonstrate immediate market validation. For context, industrial-grade LiDAR drones typically command $40,000-$150,000 per unit depending on specifications, representing substantial revenue potential for a company of Draganfly's size.

The distribution agreement further strengthens Draganfly's commercial infrastructure across North America, creating a strategically advantageous position against competitors who lack similar specialized integration partnerships. This positions Draganfly more firmly in the high-margin industrial/commercial UAS segment rather than the commoditized consumer drone market, where profitability is increasingly challenging.

For a micro-cap company like Draganfly (market cap: $11.56 million), securing this type of partnership with multiple confirmed orders creates meaningful potential revenue impact. While specific financial terms aren't disclosed, industrial LiDAR drone systems typically represent higher-margin products compared to standard drone platforms.

Three aspects make this particularly significant: First, the completed Q1 delivery confirms real-world implementation, not just theoretical interest. Second, Balko's role as an official distributor creates an expanded sales channel across North America without Draganfly incurring additional direct sales infrastructure costs. Third, the modular approach targeting multiple price points strategically positions them to capture diverse market segments.

For context, high-performance commercial drone systems integrated with specialized LiDAR capabilities command premium pricing in industrial markets. With Draganfly's current market capitalization, even modest order volumes could materially impact quarterly results.

This partnership effectively addresses two critical challenges for small drone manufacturers: specialized technology integration (through Balko's LiDAR expertise) and market access (through expanded distribution). While financial specifics are , the confirmed orders and completed delivery provide tangible validation that should be viewed positively for near-term revenue prospects.

Tampa, FL, April 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, is pleased to have been selected as the primary UAS provider by Balko Technologies, an industry-leading company specializing in the design and manufacture of high-performance LiDAR payloads and post-processing software.

This announcement follows the integration and testing of Balko LiDAR products on the Draganfly Commander 3XL and Apex UAS, providing Balko customers with a suite of modular LiDAR and Drone platforms supporting a wide variety of performance requirements, budgets, and operating scenarios.

Under this agreement, Balko becomes an official distributor of Draganfly’s products throughout North America, expanding access to cutting-edge drone technology for industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring applications. Since signing the agreement, multiple customers have issued purchase orders for the Draganfly Commander 3XL to be paired with Balko’s innovative modular Connectiv LiDAR sensor with one delivery completed in Q1.

“Draganfly’s mission has always been to deliver world-class UAV solutions tailored to critical applications,” said Cameron Chell, President and CEO of Draganfly. “Partnering with Balko enhances our ability to provide customers with advanced aerial mapping and data collection tools, leveraging Balko’s robust LiDAR payloads to further our reach across North America.”

“We’re excited to be working with Draganfly, a company that shares our commitment to innovation and reliability,” said Maude Pelletier, President of Balko Technologies. “Our LiDAR systems are built for performance and precision, and when paired with Draganfly’s drone platforms, we can unlock even greater capabilities for our shared clients.”

About Balko Technologies

Founded in 2021 and based in Quebec, Canada, Balko Technologies specializes in developing and manufacturing modular LiDAR systems for drones. Their flagship product, the Connectiv sensor, is designed to be versatile and fully configurable—allowing users to interchange lasers, inertial navigation systems (INS), and cameras to adapt to specific project requirements across industries. Backed by a team of seasoned experts with decades of combined experience in geospatial technologies, product and software engineering, Balko combines the agility of a startup with deep industry knowledge. Balko’s mission is to democratize geospatial data collection by offering flexible, cutting-edge tools that empower professionals across a wide range of applications. For more information on Balko, visit www.balkotechnologies.com

About Draganfly

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.

For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.

For investor details, visit:
CSE
NASDAQ
FRANKFURT

Media Contact
media@draganfly.com

Company Contact
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 the fact that partnering with Balko enhances Draganfly’s ability to provide customers with advanced aerial mapping and data collection tools, leveraging Balko’s robust LiDAR payloads to further our reach across North America. 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 partnership between Draganfly (DPRO) and Balko Technologies?

Draganfly becomes Balko's primary UAS provider, integrating Balko's LiDAR products with Draganfly's Commander 3XL and Apex UAS platforms. Balko becomes an official distributor of Draganfly products in North America.

Which Draganfly (DPRO) drone models are compatible with Balko's LiDAR systems?

The Draganfly Commander 3XL and Apex UAS platforms are compatible with Balko's LiDAR products.

What markets will the Draganfly-Balko partnership target?

The partnership targets industrial, energy, and environmental monitoring applications across North America.

Has Draganfly (DPRO) received any orders through the Balko partnership?

Yes, multiple purchase orders have been received for the Commander 3XL with Balko's Connectiv LiDAR sensor, with one delivery completed in Q1.
Draganfly

NASDAQ:DPRO

DPRO Rankings

DPRO Latest News

DPRO Stock Data

13.19M
5.38M
1.16%
15.24%
1.79%
Aerospace & Defense
Industrials
Link
Canada
Saskatoon