ZenaTech announces Ukrainian subsidiary Phoenix Aero LLC to manufacture counter-drone systems for defense customers in GCC countries.
Quiver AI Summary
ZenaTech, Inc., a technology company specializing in AI drones and Quantum Computing, has announced its new subsidiary, Phoenix Aero LLC, based in Ukraine. This facility aims to manufacture counter-UAS and interceptor drone systems for defense customers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which include Saudi Arabia and the UAE among others. ZenaTech's CEO, Shaun Passley, emphasized the need for scalable, cost-effective solutions that can meet the growing demand for counter-drone systems in the region. The facility in Lviv is strategically positioned to leverage local aerospace talent and infrastructure while providing access to European logistics for efficient production and export. Phoenix Aero LLC will support the development of advanced drone solutions, including a new low-cost interceptor drone and an autonomous UAV platform for maritime operations. ZenaTech plans to engage further in the GCC and Middle Eastern markets through strategic partnerships and participation in defense exhibitions, while ensuring compliance with export regulations.
Potential Positives
- ZenaTech's establishment of a new subsidiary, Phoenix Aero LLC, in Ukraine is expected to create a manufacturing and export base for counter-drone systems, positioning the company to meet the increasing demand in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
- The Lviv-based facility is designed for scalable production in a competitive cost environment, potentially enhancing ZenaTech's operational efficiency and market competitiveness in the defense sector.
- The expected manufacturing capabilities at Phoenix Aero LLC, including the production of the Interceptor P-1 drone, allow ZenaTech to offer advanced, AI-enabled defense solutions at lower costs, which could attract a broader customer base in the defense industry.
Potential Negatives
- Establishing a manufacturing facility in a politically unstable region (Western Ukraine) may pose significant operational risks, including potential disruptions from conflict or regulatory changes.
- The company's reliance on a single facility for such strategic production could expose it to supply chain vulnerabilities and limit scalability in response to demand fluctuations.
- Potential backlash or negative public perception due to the involvement in defense contracting amidst increasing scrutiny on military expenditures and technology use in conflict zones.
FAQ
What is ZenaTech's new subsidiary focused on?
ZenaTech's new subsidiary, Phoenix Aero LLC, will manufacture counter-UAS and interceptor drone systems for defense customers in GCC countries.
Why is Western Ukraine chosen for drone manufacturing?
Western Ukraine is chosen for its aerospace engineering talent, competitive production environment, and strategic proximity to European logistics corridors.
What types of drone systems will Phoenix Aero produce?
Phoenix Aero will produce the Interceptor P-1 drone, ZenaDrone 2000 UAV, and IQ-Glider marine-based refueling station among others.
How does ZenaTech plan to engage with GCC defense markets?
ZenaTech plans to engage by establishing relationships with defense procurement authorities and participating in industry exhibitions and conferences.
What capabilities will ZenaTech's drone solutions provide?
ZenaTech's drone solutions will offer AI-enabled capabilities aimed at scalable and cost-effective defense against aerial threats.
Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summary of a press release distributed by GlobeNewswire. The model used to summarize this release may make mistakes. See the full release here.
$ZENA Hedge Fund Activity
We have seen 22 institutional investors add shares of $ZENA stock to their portfolio, and 19 decrease their positions in their most recent quarter.
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- 683 CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC added 128,126 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $410,003
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- UBS GROUP AG added 103,383 shares (+228.7%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $236,747
- QUADRATURE CAPITAL LTD removed 85,869 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $274,780
- SUSQUEHANNA INTERNATIONAL GROUP, LLP added 85,641 shares (+28.9%) to their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $274,051
- CITADEL ADVISORS LLC removed 60,363 shares (-100.0%) from their portfolio in Q4 2025, for an estimated $193,161
- IMC-CHICAGO, LLC added 55,186 shares (+inf%) to their portfolio in Q1 2026, for an estimated $126,375
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Full Release
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 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, today announces that its new Ukrainian subsidiary, Phoenix Aero LLC, is expected to serve as a manufacturing and export base for counter-UAS and interceptor drone systems targeted to defense customers across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. These countries include Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman and have demonstrated increasing demand for scalable, lower-cost counter-drone systems. The Lviv-based facility is designed to combine real-world testing conditions with European cost structures to support scalable production for GCC regional defense demand and U.S. defense partners in the Middle East.
“The Middle East is moving decisively toward attritable, AI-enabled counter-drone systems that can be fielded at scale and at unit economics that legacy air defense platforms cannot match,” said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., ZenaTech CEO. “By producing in Western Ukraine, we will be able to offer regional defense customers systems that are continuously refined against real-world threat profiles, manufactured at competitive cost structures, and designed for the volumes these missions require. That combination is what defines the next generation of layered air defense, and our goal is to be a leading Western supplier into that market.”
ZenaTech management believes Western Ukraine is a strategic location for drone manufacturing and testing due to its established aerospace engineering talent base, competitive production environment, and strong ecosystem of drone innovation and rapid iteration. The region also provides proximity to European logistics corridors, supporting efficient manufacturing scale-up and export pathways for allied markets. Demand for cost-effective counter-drone capabilities across the Middle East has accelerated driven by ongoing low-cost aerial threats, expanding critical infrastructure protection requirements, and increasing adoption of AI-enabled defense systems according to multiple industry and defense analysis experts.
ZenaTech intends to expand its regional engagement across GCC and broader Middle East U.S. allied markets through direct engagement establishing relationships with sovereign defense procurement authorities and integrators, participation in defense industry exhibitions and conferences, and development of technical support capabilities, supported by its EMEA operations headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Phoenix Aero LLC is intended to serve as the production and product-validation engine that underpins these go-to-market efforts.
Phoenix Aero LLC is expected to support the manufacturing and testing of counter-UAS solutions, including the Interceptor P-1 one-way expendable interceptor drone for low-cost, scalable aerial threat interception designed to sell for less than $5000 USD; the ZenaDrone 2000 autonomous UAV platform designed for maritime interception operations; and the IQ-Glider marine-based launch and refueling station. Together these solutions provide AI-enabled capabilities in an integrated defense system.
The Company expects to provide further updates on significant developments and milestones achieved regarding Phoenix Aero LLC over the coming quarters. ZenaTech is committed to compliance with all applicable export and trade control regulations.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech , Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company that specializes in AI autonomy drone platforms to transform industrial, government, and defense sectors. Its subsidiaries include drone manufacturing through ZenaDrone, a global Drone as a Service (DaaS) business, and a separate enterprise SaaS division of multiple software brands. The Company is executing an acquisition-led DaaS roll-up strategy to digitize and automate legacy service industries like land surveys and inspections, driving drone-based scalable, recurring revenue growth. With an operating footprint spanning North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, ZenaTech is advancing AI drones for agriculture and logistics, as well as ISR, cargo, and counter-UAS applications for U.S. defense and NATO allies. The company is investing in next-generation technologies, including drone swarms, quantum computing, and advanced AI autonomy to capture long-term opportunities in key markets through its R&D initiatives.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone , a subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures AI-powered multifunction autonomous drone solutions integrating machine learning, predictive analytics, and advanced computing technologies, for government, defense, and industrial applications. This includes multifunctional drones for surveying, inspections, logistics, security, and defense applications. Its product portfolio includes the ZenaDrone 1000 for ISR defense and specialized cargo, the IQ Nano for indoor inventory management and security, the IQ Square for outdoor inspections and maintenance, the IQ Quad for land surveying, and the IQ Aqua for underwater applications. ZenaDrone operates three global manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Dubai, and Taiwan, and is advancing counter-UAS maritime interceptor drones and an integrated defense system.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
[email protected]
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
[email protected]
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square and IQ Nano; ZenaTech's ability to develop products for markets as currently contemplated; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ in the Company’s Form F-1, Form 20-F and other filings filed 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.
