# ZenaTech Selected for Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace, Expanding Opportunities for ZenaDrone's AI-Powered Autonomous Drone Solutions
TORONTO, Sept. 17, 2026 [(GLOBE NEWSWIRE)](https://www.globenewswire.com/) \-- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that it has been selected as a qualified supplier under the [Government of Canada's Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) Marketplace](https://www.globenewswire.com/Tracker?data=CXQ1ZQjGhMySigwy0iPFOjZohV9H6QLaGyUbrEoziEVWTY48psJ1kTjyeKPMATk5gXGJMka7y6iYrBHOX-COwQim78u6undK84KeCp09VIuvN63R4_oEMz-yCcu7G7pAB3UMjcirTJmJsmwSD9BdoGFtQ6xsBATX_XaIcZHvpOoyyJZ7vkQo5uc31s17YFtA-hjJN3vlc9wzquRaJLxWSA==). The qualification establishes ZenaTech as part of the Government of Canada's pre-qualified supplier pool, creating a pathway to compete for future defense and security drone requirements supporting the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Coast Guard.
"Being selected for Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace represents an important milestone for our growing defense business," said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. "We have been investing in autonomous drone technology, AI, manufacturing, and advanced capabilities designed for real-world defense and government applications, and we look forward to demonstrating how our ZenaDrone solutions can contribute to Canada's objective of building a strong domestic drone and autonomous systems industry. Our goal is to continue advancing our technology and manufacturing capabilities so that ZenaDrone can become an important supplier of autonomous drone solutions to Canada and allied governments."
Launched by the Government of Canada in July 2026, the Defence Drone Initiative is designed to accelerate the development, testing, adaptation and production of uncrewed and autonomous systems while strengthening Canada's domestic defense industrial capacity. Qualification under the DDI Marketplace does not constitute the award of a procurement contract, but it positions ZenaTech to apply and compete for applicable future requirements issued through the Marketplace.
ZenaDrone's defense-focused portfolio is anchored by the ZenaDrone 1000, a multifunction autonomous drone platform built for surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics and specialized cargo missions currently at the testing stage. The IQ Series of drones range from an indoor inventory management and security drone to inspection, land surveys and mapping, and an underwater drone. The Company's counter-UAS maritime interceptor drones and launch and refueling station, part of an integrated defense system, are currently in development. These platforms are being created to combine AI-driven autonomy, advanced sensors and modular payloads designed to meet the demanding requirements of defense and security operators and are being developed in parallel with ZenaTech's ongoing manufacturing facility expansion across Arizona, Dubai and Taiwan.
[https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/zenatech-selected-canadas-defence-drone-120000054.html](https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/zenatech-selected-canadas-defence-drone-120000054.html)