ZenaTech's ZenaDrone Positioned for U.S. Defense and Government Demand
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) has announced a strategic alignment with recent U.S. government regulations aimed at restricting foreign-made drone equipment. This move positions ZenaTech’s subsidiary, ZenaDrone, to capitalize on rising U.S. Defense and Government demand for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant drones.
Government Regulations Strengthen Domestic Drone Market
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently updated the Covered List, restricting the authorization of new foreign-made Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), including those from the leading foreign manufacturer, DJI. This update emphasizes the U.S. government’s focus on securing trusted supply chains in drone technology.
“Recent developments reinforce the reality that drones are now foundational to national security operations,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. “We believe ZenaDrone is strategically positioned for success within this environment.”
Demand for NDAA-Compliant Drones
With the FCC's restrictions, ZenaDrone anticipates an increase in demand for its NDAA-compliant drone platforms. The updated regulations signal a shift towards adopting trusted U.S.-made drones across public and defense sectors.
Key factors influencing this trend include:
- A growing need for NDAA-compliant U.S. drone platforms due to limited availability of approved foreign models.
- Expansion of ZenaDrone's manufacturing and assembly operations in Arizona to meet increased demand.
- Enhanced deployment options aligned with U.S. defense policies focused on situational awareness and operational resilience.
ZenaDrone's Innovative Product Offerings
ZenaDrone currently develops several multifunctional AI drone systems for various applications in defense and government. These include:
- ZenaDrone 1000: A medium-sized VTOL drone capable of lifting approximately 40 kg, designed for inspection, surveillance, and critical cargo applications.
- IQ Nano: A compact drone for GPS-denied environments, equipped with advanced obstacle avoidance and AI-driven swarm capabilities.
- IQ Square: A VTOL drone engineered for land surveys and infrastructure inspections.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech, trading under Nasdaq: ZENA, specializes in AI drone technology, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions. Since its inception in 2017, ZenaTech has expanded its capabilities in drone design and manufacturing through ZenaDrone.
The company's technology enhances business operations in sectors such as law enforcement, government, agriculture, and logistics, consistently driving operational efficiencies and cost savings.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, please contact:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
investors@zenatech.com
Michael Mason
CORE IR
investors@zenatech.com
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” concerning ZenaTech’s future operations and expectations surrounding growth, revenue, and strategic direction. These statements involve risks and uncertainties and reflect management's current beliefs and projections.