{"id":959778,"date":"2026-05-07T08:34:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/drone-makers-acsl-and-draganfly-partner-to-bring-ndaa-compliant-japanese-drones-to-canadian-market-signs-exclusive-distributor-agreement-and-launches-technology-integration\/"},"modified":"2026-05-07T08:34:23","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T12:34:23","slug":"drone-makers-acsl-and-draganfly-partner-to-bring-ndaa-compliant-japanese-drones-to-canadian-market-signs-exclusive-distributor-agreement-and-launches-technology-integration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/drone-makers-acsl-and-draganfly-partner-to-bring-ndaa-compliant-japanese-drones-to-canadian-market-signs-exclusive-distributor-agreement-and-launches-technology-integration\/","title":{"rendered":"Drone Makers ACSL and Draganfly Partner to Bring NDAA-Compliant Japanese Drones to Canadian Market; Signs Exclusive Distributor Agreement and Launches Technology Integration"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\n Collaboration Enables Cross-Platform, NDAA-Compliant Interoperability, Expanding Fleet Access and Capabilities for Public Safety and Industry<\/i>\n <\/p>\n

\n Vancouver, B.C., May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — <\/b>Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (\u201cDraganfly\u201d or the \u201cCompany\u201d), an award-winning, industry-leading drone solutions and systems developer and ACSL, the largest Japanese drone maker, renowned for innovation and commitment to quality, have signed an exclusive master distributor agreement and launched technology integrations. This partnership will bring ACSL\u2019s technology to the Canadian market while the resulting collaboration will lead to the development of exciting new capabilities and interoperability between both companies’ drone platforms. This milestone comes as Canada\u2019s commercial drone market accelerates toward a projected $10 Billion USD <\/a>by 20<\/a>30<\/a>.<\/p>\n

As the exclusive Canadian partner, Draganfly is bringing the ACSL SOTEN to market, a compact, easy-to-deploy, multi-mission platform with swappable payloads and a secure-by-design architecture. Purpose-built in Japan, SOTEN complements Draganfly\u2019s established portfolio; Apex, Commander 3XL, and Heavy Lift, supporting payloads from 6.6 to 100+ lbs. and expanding customer capabilities with a highly portable, adaptable solution.<\/p>\n

\n \n <\/p>\n

This partnership also aims to address industry needs by offering more viable options for building diverse, interoperable drone programs. Through technical integration, certain Draganfly made drones like the Apex and Commander 3XL will be compatible with SOTEN\u2019s swappable camera payloads along with the ACSL TAITEN Smart Controller. Pilots will be able to build drone programs around their needs, combining the advantages of both Draganfly and ACSL systems, and controlling platforms as needed with the ACSL TAITEN ground control station.<\/p>\n

SOTEN has four swappable camera options: the standard 20MP 1\u201d sensor camera with a mechanical shutter, the SAMO dual thermal-optical system, a multi-spectral option, and an optical zoom camera. The TAITEN smart controller features a 7\u201d 1500-nit screen, a rugged IP54-rated design, and a suite of customizable buttons. The platform emphasizes operational reliability, secure communications, and flexibility to adapt as mission requirements evolve.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve seen significant adoption of the ACSL platform in the US and we\u2019re excited to bring this technology to the Canadian drone market,\u201d said Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc. \u201cCustomer feedback has been strong. With its modular design, once SOTEN gets incorporated into a workflow, it becomes a go-to choice for many missions. This partnership is a great reflection of addressing the needs of customers, increasing interoperability among drone solution providers to build a more resilient industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve taken a hard look at the market, and ACSL stands out as the strongest partner in this segment to integrate with our OEM product line,\u201d said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. \u201cThis gives customers a true single-source solution, combining best-in-class manufacturing and technology to build scalable, future-ready drone programs.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the adoption of enterprise drone operations continues to expand across Canada, ACSL\u2019s entry reinforces the importance of trusted manufacturing, ecosystem collaboration, and platforms designed to meet the realities of professional use.<\/p>\n

The SOTEN platform will be available across Canada exclusively through Draganfly beginning in June 2026. Customers can learn more or request a demo at www.draganfly.com<\/a>. Dealers seeking to become authorized partners are invited to contact Draganfly for more information.<\/p>\n

\n About Draganfly<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8) is a leader in cutting-edge drone solutions and software that are transforming industries and serving stakeholders globally. Recognized for innovation and excellence for over 25 years, Draganfly is an award-winning Original Equipment Manufacturer and technology integrator to the public safety, civil, military, agriculture, industrial inspection, security, mapping, and surveying markets. The Company is driven by passion, ingenuity, and a mission to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to customers worldwide, saving time, money, and lives.<\/p>\n

For more information, visit www.draganfly.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For investor details, visit:
NASDAQ (DPRO)<\/a>
CSE (DPRO)<\/a>
FSE (3U8)<\/a><\/p>\n

\n About ACSL<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

ACSL is the largest Japanese drone maker, renowned for its innovation and commitment to quality. With a focus on delivering advanced, reliable, and user-friendly drone solutions, ACSL continues to set industry standards and exceed customer expectations. ACSL offers a variety of different drone systems including the flagship SOTEN drone. ACSL Inc. is the North American subsidiary of ACSL.<\/p>\n

\n Media Contact<\/b>
\n
\n Draganfly<\/b>
\n
Erika Racicot
Media@draganfly.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\n ACSL
<\/b>Patrick Santucci
Press@acsl-usa.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Company Contact<\/b>
\n
Cameron Chell
Chief Executive Officer
(306) 955-9907
info@draganfly.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Forward-Looking Statements<\/b>\n <\/p>\n

This release contains certain \u201cforward looking statements\u201d and certain \u201cforward-looking \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200einformation\u201d as \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200edefined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eand information can \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200egenerally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u201cmay\u201d, \u201cwill\u201d, \u201cexpect\u201d, \u201cintend\u201d, \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u201cestimate\u201d, \u201canticipate\u201d, \u201cbelieve\u201d, \u201ccontinue\u201d, \u201cplans\u201d or similar \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eterminology. Forward-looking statements \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eand information are based on forecasts of future \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eresults, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eassumptions that, while believed by \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200emanagement to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200ebusiness, economic and \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200ecompetitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200einclude, but are not \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200elimited to, statements with respect to Draganfly\u2019s participation in the Uncrewed Aircraft Working Group, as well as the statement that Draganfly looks forward to working with the Government of Canada to pursue potential partnerships that strengthen Canada\u2019s domestic capacity to design, develop, and produce advanced drone solutions and systems. Forward-\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200elooking statements and information are subject to various \u200eknown \u200e\u200eand unknown risks and \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200euncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to \u200econtrol or \u200e\u200epredict, that \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200emay cause \u200ethe Company\u2019s actual results, performance or achievements to be \u200ematerially \u200e\u200edifferent \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200efrom those \u200eexpressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions \u200eabout \u200e\u200esuch \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200erisks, uncertainties \u200eand other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eimpact of epidemics, \u200epandemics or other public health crises, including the \u200eCOVID-19 pandemic, on the Company\u2019s business, operations and financial \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200econdition; the \u200e\u200e\u200esuccessful integration of \u200etechnology; the inherent risks involved in the general \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200esecurities markets; \u200e\u200e\u200euncertainties relating to the \u200eavailability and costs of financing needed in the \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200efuture; the inherent \u200e\u200e\u200euncertainty of cost estimates; the \u200epotential for unexpected costs and \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eexpenses, currency \u200e\u200e\u200efluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, \u200ecompetition, loss of key \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eemployees and other related risks \u200e\u200e\u200eand uncertainties disclosed under the \u200eheading \u201cRisk Factors\u201c \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200ein the Company\u2019s most recent filings filed \u200e\u200e\u200ewith securities regulators in Canada on \u200ethe SEDAR \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200ewebsite at www.sedar.com<\/a> and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the \u201cSEC\u201d) on EDGAR through the SEC\u2019s website at www.sec.gov<\/a>. The Company undertakes \u200e\u200e\u200eno obligation to update forward-\u200elooking \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200einformation except as required by applicable law. Such forward-\u200e\u200e\u200elooking information represents \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200e\u200emanagements\u2019 best judgment based on information currently available. \u200e\u200e\u200eNo forward-looking \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200estatement \u200ecan be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially. \u200e\u200e\u200eAccordingly, readers \u200e\u200e\u200e\u200eare advised not to \u200eplace undue reliance on forward-looking statements or \u200e\u200e\u200einformation.\u200e<\/p>\n

\n Attachment<\/strong>\n <\/p>\n