Phoenix, AZ — ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA), a leading tech company in AI drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing, has announced expanded U.S.-based manufacturing plans for its subsidiary, ZenaDrone, in response to newly announced U.S. tariffs. This move aims to bolster domestic production while maintaining pricing for U.S. commercial clients.
To support the “Made in America” initiative and meet growing demand, ZenaDrone will shift part of its commercial drone manufacturing to its Phoenix, Arizona facility—already home to its headquarters, sales, R&D, and testing operations. The plant will expand by 2,000 square feet and support production for both defense and commercial sectors. The decision eliminates the need for price increases and strengthens ZenaTech’s military-compliant, NDAA-compliant supply chain.
The expansion is expected to generate over 150 jobs in Arizona by the end of 2026. Currently, ZenaDrone also operates a 10,000-square-foot production facility in Sharjah, UAE, where it develops the ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ drone series.
CEO Shaun Passley, Ph.D., emphasized ZenaTech’s long-term strategy: “Tariffs challenge businesses to adapt, and we’re prepared. With rising restrictions on Chinese drone components and U.S. incentives for domestic production, our expansion strengthens our market position and creates high-quality American jobs.”
ZenaDrone has completed paid trials with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve, transporting critical cargo like blood in field conditions. It is also pursuing Green UAS certification, a gateway to the more rigorous Blue UAS certification, required for sales to the U.S. Department of Defense and related agencies.
As the global military drone market grows—from $14 billion in 2023 to a projected $47 billion by 2032—ZenaDrone is targeting high-demand segments, including Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance & Targeting (ISRT), and logistics.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech develops AI-driven drone, SaaS, and quantum computing solutions for sectors including defense, logistics, health, and industrial applications. With operations in North America, Europe, the UAE, and Taiwan, ZenaTech is scaling its DaaS model globally.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a ZenaTech subsidiary, designs advanced autonomous drones used across agriculture, logistics, inspection, surveillance, and defense. Its product lineup includes the ZenaDrone 1000 for field operations, IQ Nano for indoor logistics, and IQ Square for surveying and commercial defense use.
