ZenaDrone Expands Domestic Manufacturing for US Commercial Customers and US Defense Without Needing to Increase Prices
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) announces expansion of its US-based manufacturing operations through its ZenaDrone subsidiary in Phoenix, Arizona. The company will add up to 2,000 square feet of production space to manufacture drones for US commercial customers and defense solutions, responding to recent expanded tariffs without increasing prices.
The expansion is expected to create over 150 new jobs by the end of 2026. ZenaDrone currently operates a 10,000-square-foot facility in Sharjah, UAE, and plans to achieve NDAA compliance through its Taiwan-based Spider Vision Sensors company. The company has completed paid trials with the US Air Force and Navy Reserve, focusing on logistics and transportation applications.
ZenaDrone is pursuing Green UAS certification as a stepping stone to Blue UAS certification, which would enable direct sales to the Department of Defense. The company is targeting the military drone market, estimated at $14 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $47 billion by 2032, focusing on Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISRT) and logistics segments.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) annuncia l'espansione delle sue operazioni di produzione negli Stati Uniti attraverso la sua sussidiaria ZenaDrone a Phoenix, Arizona. L'azienda aggiungerà fino a 2.000 piedi quadrati di spazio produttivo per fabbricare droni per clienti commerciali statunitensi e soluzioni di difesa, rispondendo ai recenti dazi ampliati senza aumentare i prezzi.
Si prevede che l'espansione creerà oltre 150 nuovi posti di lavoro entro la fine del 2026. ZenaDrone attualmente opera in una struttura di 10.000 piedi quadrati a Sharjah, UAE, e prevede di ottenere la conformità al NDAA attraverso la sua azienda Spider Vision Sensors con sede a Taiwan. L'azienda ha completato prove retribuite con l'US Air Force e la Navy Reserve, concentrandosi su applicazioni di logistica e trasporto.
ZenaDrone sta perseguendo la certificazione Green UAS come passo intermedio per la certificazione Blue UAS, che consentirebbe vendite dirette al Dipartimento della Difesa. L'azienda sta puntando al mercato dei droni militari, stimato in 14 miliardi di dollari nel 2023 e previsto a raggiungere 47 miliardi di dollari entro il 2032, concentrandosi sui segmenti di Intelligence, Sorveglianza, Ricognizione e Targeting (ISRT) e logistica.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) anuncia la expansión de sus operaciones de fabricación en EE. UU. a través de su subsidiaria ZenaDrone en Phoenix, Arizona. La empresa añadirá hasta 2,000 pies cuadrados de espacio de producción para fabricar drones para clientes comerciales estadounidenses y soluciones de defensa, respondiendo a los recientes aranceles ampliados sin aumentar los precios.
Se espera que la expansión cree más de 150 nuevos empleos para finales de 2026. ZenaDrone opera actualmente en una instalación de 10,000 pies cuadrados en Sharjah, Emiratos Árabes Unidos, y planea lograr el cumplimiento del NDAA a través de su empresa Spider Vision Sensors con sede en Taiwán. La empresa ha completado ensayos remunerados con la Fuerza Aérea de EE. UU. y la Reserva Naval, centrándose en aplicaciones de logística y transporte.
ZenaDrone está persiguiendo la certificación Green UAS como un paso previo a la certificación Blue UAS, lo que permitiría ventas directas al Departamento de Defensa. La empresa está apuntando al mercado de drones militares, estimado en 14 mil millones de dólares en 2023 y proyectado a alcanzar 47 mil millones de dólares para 2032, enfocándose en los segmentos de Inteligencia, Vigilancia, Reconocimiento y Apuntado (ISRT) y logística.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA)는 애리조나주 피닉스에 있는 ZenaDrone 자회사를 통해 미국 내 제조 운영을 확장한다고 발표했습니다. 이 회사는 미국 상업 고객과 방어 솔루션을 위한 드론을 제조하기 위해 최대 2,000평방피트의 생산 공간을 추가할 예정이며, 최근 확대된 관세에 대응하면서 가격 인상 없이 진행됩니다.
이번 확장은 2026년 말까지 150개 이상의 새로운 일자리를 창출할 것으로 예상됩니다. ZenaDrone은 현재 아랍에미리트 샤르자에 10,000평방피트 규모의 시설을 운영하고 있으며, 대만에 본사를 둔 Spider Vision Sensors 회사를 통해 NDAA 준수를 달성할 계획입니다. 이 회사는 미국 공군 및 해군 예비군과의 유료 시험을 완료했으며, 물류 및 운송 응용 프로그램에 중점을 두고 있습니다.
ZenaDrone은 방어부서에 직접 판매를 가능하게 하는 Blue UAS 인증을 위한 발판으로 Green UAS 인증을 추구하고 있습니다. 이 회사는 2023년 140억 달러로 추정되는 군용 드론 시장을 목표로 하고 있으며, 2032년까지 470억 달러에 이를 것으로 예상되며, 정보, 감시, 정찰 및 목표 설정(ISRT) 및 물류 부문에 집중하고 있습니다.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) annonce l'expansion de ses opérations de fabrication basées aux États-Unis par le biais de sa filiale ZenaDrone à Phoenix, en Arizona. L'entreprise ajoutera jusqu'à 2 000 pieds carrés d'espace de production pour fabriquer des drones pour des clients commerciaux américains et des solutions de défense, répondant ainsi aux récents droits de douane élargis sans augmenter les prix.
Cette expansion devrait créer plus de 150 nouveaux emplois d'ici la fin de 2026. ZenaDrone exploite actuellement une installation de 10 000 pieds carrés à Sharjah, Émirats Arabes Unis, et prévoit d'atteindre la conformité au NDAA par le biais de sa société Spider Vision Sensors basée à Taïwan. L'entreprise a complété des essais rémunérés avec l'US Air Force et la Navy Reserve, en se concentrant sur des applications logistiques et de transport.
ZenaDrone poursuit la certification Green UAS comme étape vers la certification Blue UAS, ce qui permettrait des ventes directes au Département de la Défense. L'entreprise vise le marché des drones militaires, estimé à 14 milliards de dollars en 2023 et prévu d'atteindre 47 milliards de dollars d'ici 2032, en se concentrant sur les segments de renseignement, de surveillance, de reconnaissance et de ciblage (ISRT) ainsi que sur la logistique.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) kündigt die Expansion seiner Fertigungsoperationen in den USA durch seine Tochtergesellschaft ZenaDrone in Phoenix, Arizona, an. Das Unternehmen wird bis zu 2.000 Quadratfuß Produktionsfläche hinzufügen, um Drohnen für US-amerikanische Geschäftskunden und Verteidigungslösungen herzustellen, und reagiert damit auf die kürzlich erweiterten Zölle, ohne die Preise zu erhöhen.
Es wird erwartet, dass die Expansion bis Ende 2026 über 150 neue Arbeitsplätze schaffen wird. ZenaDrone betreibt derzeit eine 10.000 Quadratfuß große Anlage in Sharjah, VAE, und plant, die NDAA-Konformität über sein in Taiwan ansässiges Unternehmen Spider Vision Sensors zu erreichen. Das Unternehmen hat bezahlte Tests mit der US Air Force und der Navy Reserve abgeschlossen, wobei der Fokus auf Logistik- und Transportanwendungen liegt.
ZenaDrone strebt die Green UAS-Zertifizierung als Sprungbrett zur Blue UAS-Zertifizierung an, die direkte Verkäufe an das Verteidigungsministerium ermöglichen würde. Das Unternehmen zielt auf den Militärdrohnenmarkt, der 2023 auf 14 Milliarden Dollar geschätzt wird und bis 2032 auf 47 Milliarden Dollar anwachsen soll, wobei der Fokus auf den Segmenten Aufklärung, Überwachung, Aufklärung und Zielverfolgung (ISRT) sowie Logistik liegt.
- Expanding US manufacturing without increasing product prices despite tariffs
- Adding 150 new jobs by 2026 in Arizona
- Completed paid trials with US Air Force and Navy Reserve
- Strategic positioning for US defense market through NDAA compliance
- Targeting $47B military drone market by 2032
- Significant capital investment required for new manufacturing space
- Pending certifications (Green UAS and Blue UAS) still needed for government sales
- Increased operational costs from maintaining multiple manufacturing facilities
Insights
ZenaTech's tactical expansion of US-based manufacturing represents a textbook example of supply chain resilience amid escalating trade tensions. By establishing domestic production for its ZenaDrone subsidiary in Arizona, the company effectively neutralizes the impact of expanded tariffs without passing costs to customers—a significant competitive advantage in the price-sensitive commercial drone market.
The 2,000 square foot production space addition demonstrates measured scaling that minimizes capital exposure while creating adequate capacity for initial US commercial production. This dual-manufacturing approach (maintaining UAE operations while adding US capacity) offers geographical diversification that mitigates single-point supply chain vulnerabilities.
What's particularly notable is ZenaTech's progress toward NDAA compliance and Green UAS certification. These aren't merely bureaucratic hurdles but essential gateways to the lucrative $5 billion US military drone market. The company's Taiwan-based camera and component production through Spider Vision Sensors addresses critical security concerns that have essentially blacklisted Chinese components from US defense applications.
The projected 150 new jobs by 2026 indicates a gradual staffing ramp-up aligned with certification timelines rather than an immediate surge, suggesting disciplined operational scaling. While domestic manufacturing typically carries higher labor costs, the tariff avoidance, reduced shipping expenses, and potential preference in government procurement may offset these increased expenses.
ZenaTech's manufacturing expansion represents more than just tariff mitigation—it's a strategic positioning for the heavily regulated US defense drone market. The company's completed paid trials with both US Air Force and Navy Reserve for logistics and transportation applications demonstrate initial validation in the military ecosystem, though the path from trials to production contracts remains lengthy and uncertain.
The company's pursuit of Green UAS certification is the critical first step toward the more valuable Blue UAS authorization—essentially the golden ticket for direct Department of Defense sales. This certification pathway isn't merely paperwork; it validates that drones meet stringent security standards essential for military applications, particularly given heightened concerns about foreign technology vulnerabilities.
ZenaTech's targeting of both the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISRT) and logistics segments aligns with the Pentagon's highest drone priorities. The logistics market is particularly promising as the military seeks to reduce personnel risk in supply operations, precisely the application ZenaTech tested in its military trials.
While the projected $47 billion global military drone market by 2032 represents substantial opportunity, investors should recognize that defense procurement cycles are typically measured in years rather than quarters. ZenaTech appears to be building the proper foundation for long-term defense market participation, though near-term revenue impact from this segment will likely be modest until full certification is achieved and production contracts materialize.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) (“ZenaTech”), a technology company specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions, today provides an update on its US-based ZenaDrone subsidiary’s expansion plans for “Made in America” manufacturing in light of the recent expanded tariffs announced by the current US Administration. ZenaTech maintains its commitment to domestic manufacturing for US defense drone solutions, including strategic local investments and military-compliant supply chains. ZenaDrone will now move some of its commercial drone production for US commercial customers to Arizona, meaning no need to increase prices for customers to offset tariff costs.
ZenaDrone’s headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona, which includes sales, administration, research and development, and aerial testing operations. The company plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities over the next two months to produce drones for US commercial customers in addition to planned production for the US military. This expansion will include up to 2,000 additional square feet of production space. This will be the second global manufacturing facility; the company currently has development and production facilities for the ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ series of drones at its 10,000-square-foot facility in Sharjah, UAE.
In response to the evolving trade landscape, ZenaTech also expects that the expansion of its Phoenix-based manufacturing facility will bring over 150 new jobs to the region by the end of 2026.
“While tariffs can be challenging, they also reveal which companies are truly agile. ZenaTech has always been long-term in our thinking; engaging in smart resource management and supply chains and prepared to navigate global shifts,” said CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D. “With increased US bans on Chinese drones and components and local incentives for domestic production, we are well-positioned to expand our manufacturing in Arizona, also creating more high-quality American jobs,” added Mr. Passley.
ZenaDrone previously completed two paid trials using its drone products with the US Air Force and the US Navy Reserve for logistics and transportation applications carrying critical cargo, such as blood, in the field. ZenaTech previously announced that ZenaDrone’s supply chain will be NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) compliant by manufacturing its parts and cameras at its Spider Vision Sensors company established in Taiwan.
The company has initiated cybersecurity and internal controls planning in preparation to apply for the Green UAS (Uncrewed Aerial Systems) certification, a requirement for drone companies that want to sell to government agencies, law enforcement, first responders, and many commercial enterprises. This certification serves as a pathway to the more stringent Blue UAS certification, which the company intends to apply for next, to enter the US defense market enabling direct sales to the Department of Defense and other defense-related agencies.
The global military drone market was estimated to be a US
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, health, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive exceptional operational efficiencies, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through seven global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing a DaaS business model and global partner network.
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 in the warehouse and logistics sectors, and the IQ Square is an indoor/outdoor drone designed for land survey 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 and IQ Nano; 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.
FAQ
How many jobs will ZenaTech's Arizona expansion create by 2026?
What is the size of ZenaTech's (ZENA) planned manufacturing expansion in Arizona?
Which military branches has ZenaDrone completed paid trials with?
What certifications is ZenaDrone pursuing for government sales?
How large is the global military drone market expected to grow by 2032?
