Draganfly (NASDAQ: DPRO) signed an exclusive master distributor agreement with Japanese drone maker ACSL to bring the NDAA‑compliant SOTEN platform to Canada and launch technology integration with Draganfly systems. The SOTEN will be available exclusively through Draganfly beginning June 2026, with cross‑platform payload and controller compatibility.
The partnership highlights interoperability between SOTEN and Draganfly Apex, Commander 3XL, and Heavy Lift platforms and aims to expand enterprise drone capability for public safety and industry.
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Positive
Exclusive Canadian master distributor agreement for ACSL SOTEN, effective June 2026
Interoperability: SOTEN payloads compatible with Apex and Commander 3XL via TAITEN controller
Broader payload support: Draganfly portfolio covers payloads from 6.6 to 100+ lbs
Negative
No financial terms disclosed for the exclusive distribution agreement
Integration described as partial: compatibility applies to “certain” Draganfly models only
Current price
$5.42
Pre-news market context
Daily move
6.07%
24h price change before article
Canada drone market
$10 Billion
Projected size by 2030 in article
Payload capacity range
6.6 to 100+ lbs
Supported by Draganfly portfolio drones
TAITEN screen size
7″
ACSL TAITEN smart controller display
TAITEN brightness
1500 nits
Screen brightness specification
Camera options
4 swappable cameras
SOTEN platform payload configurations
SOTEN camera resolution
20MP 1″ sensor
Standard SOTEN camera specification
$5.42
Last Close
Volume
Volume 1,645,172 is modestly above 20-day average of 1,569,700, indicating slightly elevated interest.
normal
Technical
Shares at 5.42 are trading below the 200-day MA of 6.95, despite the positive partnership headline.
Momentum scanner only flagged HOVR moving -12.10% with no news, while DPRO was up 6.07%, pointing to a stock-specific reaction rather than a sector-wide move.
Date
Event
Sentiment
Move
Catalyst
Feb 02
Defense training award
Positive
+7.1%
Award to provide Flex FPV drones and FPV training to U.S. AFSOC units.
Dec 08
APAC defense framework
Positive
-2.0%
Collaboration framework with Babcock and CiTech for Asia-Pacific defense initiatives.
Oct 09
Strategic defense partner
Positive
+18.1%
Formal strategic partnership with Global Ordnance to accelerate U.S. defense adoption.
Mar 10
New U.S. facility
Positive
-7.9%
Opening of Tampa facility to support demonstrations and strengthen defense partnerships.
Pattern Detected
Partnership announcements have produced mixed reactions, with two positive and two negative next-day moves.
Recent Company History
Recent history shows Draganfly using partnerships and strategic agreements to deepen its defense and security positioning. Prior partnership announcements with U.S. and allied defense players and facility expansion moves often focused on NDAA‑compliant systems and government customers. Price reactions to these partnership headlines have been inconsistent, with both strong gains and notable declines within 24 hours. Today’s ACSL distribution and integration deal fits this pattern of ecosystem-building collaborations aimed at broadening platform interoperability and market access.
+3.8%
Average Historical Move
partnership
Past partnership headlines moved DPRO an average of 3.83%. Today’s 6.07% gain sits above that typical response but not as an extreme outlier.
Partnership news has evolved from facility expansion and broad defense collaborations toward targeted defense contracts and training awards, showing a steady buildout of government-focused relationships and capabilities.
This announcement outlines an exclusive Canadian distribution and technology-integration partnership with ACSL, adding the SOTEN platform and shared payload ecosystem to Draganfly’s lineup. Historically, partnership headlines have produced varied stock reactions, underscoring that follow-through matters more than headlines. Key items to monitor include commercialization progress in Canada’s projected $10 Billion drone market, uptake of interoperable payloads and controllers, and how these collaborations complement prior defense-focused agreements.
ndaa-compliant
regulatory
“Draganfly’s NDAA-compliant unmanned aerial systems including the Commander 3XL.”
NDAA-compliant means that a product, supplier, or company meets the rules in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act that bar certain foreign technologies and require specific security practices. For investors, compliance matters because it determines whether a business can sell to the U.S. government, avoid fines or bans, and reduce supply‑chain or reputational risk—similar to passing a background check that lets you bid on a sensitive contract.
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
05/07/2026 – 08:30 AM
Collaboration Enables Cross-Platform, NDAA-Compliant Interoperability, Expanding Fleet Access and Capabilities for Public Safety and Industry
Vancouver, B.C., May 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), 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’s 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’s commercial drone market accelerates toward a projected $10 Billion USD by 2030.
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’s 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.
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’s 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.
SOTEN has four swappable camera options: the standard 20MP 1” 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” 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.
“We’ve seen significant adoption of the ACSL platform in the US and we’re excited to bring this technology to the Canadian drone market,” said Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc. “Customer 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.”
“We’ve 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,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “This gives customers a true single-source solution, combining best-in-class manufacturing and technology to build scalable, future-ready drone programs.”
As the adoption of enterprise drone operations continues to expand across Canada, ACSL’s entry reinforces the importance of trusted manufacturing, ecosystem collaboration, and platforms designed to meet the realities of professional use.
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. Dealers seeking to become authorized partners are invited to contact Draganfly for more information.
About Draganfly
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.
For more information, visit www.draganfly.com.
For investor details, visit:
NASDAQ (DPRO)
CSE (DPRO)
FSE (3U8)
About ACSL
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.
Media Contact
Draganfly
Erika Racicot
Media@draganfly.com
ACSL
Patrick Santucci
Press@acsl-usa.com
Company Contact
Cameron Chell
Chief Executive Officer
(306) 955-9907
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 Draganfly’s 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’s domestic capacity to design, develop, and produce advanced drone solutions and systems. 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 did Draganfly (DPRO) announce about ACSL SOTEN availability in Canada?
SOTEN will be available exclusively through Draganfly beginning June 2026. According to the company, Draganfly will serve as ACSL’s exclusive Canadian distributor and will provide demos, sales, and authorized dealer onboarding across Canada.
How will the ACSL partnership affect Draganfly (DPRO) product interoperability?
Certain Draganfly models will be compatible with SOTEN swappable payloads and the ACSL TAITEN controller. According to the company, technical integrations enable cross‑platform control and shared payload use for selected Apex and Commander 3XL systems.
What payload and camera options does ACSL SOTEN offer under the Draganfly (DPRO) deal?
SOTEN offers four swappable cameras: 20MP 1″ sensor, SAMO dual thermal‑optical, multispectral, and optical zoom. According to the company, these options target multi‑mission use for public safety and industrial workflows.
Does the Draganfly (DPRO)–ACSL agreement include financial terms or commitments?
The announcement did not disclose purchase prices, revenue commitments, or financial terms. According to the company, the release focuses on distribution, product availability, and technical integration rather than transaction values.
Which Draganfly models will work with the ACSL TAITEN smart controller via the DPRO partnership?
The release states compatibility for selected models including Apex and Commander 3XL. According to the company, TAITEN integration allows pilots to control compatible platforms and access SOTEN payloads within supported workflows.