{"id":1009234,"date":"2026-10-12T08:34:52","date_gmt":"2026-10-12T12:34:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/draganfly-establishes-dedicated-u-s-defense-subsidiary-appoints-former-under-secretary-acting-secretary-of-the-navy-thomas-modly-as-chairman\/"},"modified":"2026-10-12T08:34:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-12T12:34:52","slug":"draganfly-establishes-dedicated-u-s-defense-subsidiary-appoints-former-under-secretary-acting-secretary-of-the-navy-thomas-modly-as-chairman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/draganfly-establishes-dedicated-u-s-defense-subsidiary-appoints-former-under-secretary-acting-secretary-of-the-navy-thomas-modly-as-chairman\/","title":{"rendered":"Draganfly Establishes Dedicated U.S. Defense Subsidiary, Appoints Former Under Secretary & Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly as Chairman"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Draganfly Defense USA to Accelerate U.S. Military Market Expansion, Strengthen Domestic Defense Capabilities and Support Growing Demand for Secure, Mission-Critical Unmanned Systems<\/i>\n <\/p>\n

\n Washington, DC, Oct. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — <\/strong>Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) (\u201cDraganfly\u201d or the \u201cCompany\u201d), an award-winning, industry-leading developer of drone solutions and systems, today announced the establishment of Draganfly Defense USA, Inc., a dedicated U.S. defense subsidiary formed to support the Company\u2019s continued expansion across the United States defense and national security markets.<\/p>\n

The dedicated U.S. structure is also intended to support the security; regulatory and compliance requirements associated with serving U.S. defense customers. Draganfly Defense USA will provide a focused framework for establishing defense-specific governance, cybersecurity, data protection, export-control and operational procedures, including the segregation and protection of controlled technologies and sensitive information where required. The structure is designed to support the demand for Draganfly\u2019s products and services in defense programs with stringent domestic, security and compliance requirements.<\/p>\n

Thomas B. Modly, the 33rd Under Secretary and former Acting Secretary of the U.S. Navy, will serve as Chairman of the Board of Draganfly Defense USA. Cameron Chell, CEO and Chairman of Draganfly Inc., will serve as a director of the new subsidiary.<\/p>\n

In connection with his appointment as Chairman of Draganfly Defense USA, Modly will, in accordance with regulatory requirements, relinquish the board position he currently holds at Draganfly Inc. to assume the Chairman role at Draganfly Defense USA, focusing on growth, development and governance of Draganfly Defense USA. This reflects the increasing demand in the U.S. defense space and the opportunity to utilize Mr. Modly\u2019s extensive experience, capabilities and leadership directly toward the development of Draganfly\u2019s U.S. defense business. Modly has served on Draganfly\u2019s Board of Directors since 2024 and has provided strategic guidance as the Company has expanded its presence across the defense and national security markets.<\/p>\n

Modly brings experience across defense leadership, government and business to the role, having served as Acting Secretary of the Navy and previously as the 33rd Under Secretary of the Navy. During his tenure in the Department of the Navy, his work included organizational transformation, business operations, education, accountability and readiness across the Navy and Marine Corps.<\/p>\n

Brigadier General AJ Pasagian, USMC (Ret\u2019d), who was appointed President of Draganfly Defense USA in August 2026, will lead the Company\u2019s U.S. defense operations, with responsibility for strategic growth, government and industry relationships, operational expansion and execution across defense programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cEstablishing Draganfly Defense USA creates a dedicated structure to serve the unique requirements of the U.S. defense market,\u201d said Modly. \u201cI have had the opportunity to work closely with Cameron and the Draganfly team as a member of the Board, and I look forward to continuing that work in a focused capacity as Chairman of Draganfly Defense USA. The opportunity now is to build the governance, agility, operational discipline, and advanced capabilities required to support our U.S. defense customers at scale.\u201d<\/p>\n

Draganfly has continued to expand its presence across the U.S. defense ecosystem during 2026, including the recent acquisition of Skip Dynamix, the appointment of Brigadier General AJ Pasagian to lead its U.S. defense operations, and its selection, together with F4 Defense International, by DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory for a development contract focused on a modular, multi-layered integrated counter-UAS system, alongside the continued expansion of the Company\u2019s North American manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefense requirements are changing rapidly, and success in this market requires much more than delivering an aircraft,\u201d said Pasagian. \u201cIt requires trusted technology, secure supply chains, domestic capability, and an organization structured around the operational requirements of the warfighter, including ease of use and human factors engineering designed to provide and sustain advantage for the American warfighter. Draganfly Defense USA gives us a dedicated platform from which to build those capabilities and serve the U.S. defense community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n A Dedicated Platform for U.S. Defense Growth<\/b>
\n <\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Draganfly Defense USA, Inc. is intended to provide a focused operating structure for the Company\u2019s growing U.S. defense activities, including:<\/p>\n