DroneShield Appoints New COO to Scale Global Operations

DroneShield AU000000DRO2

The Australian counter-drone technology specialist, DroneShield, has strengthened its executive team with a focus on operational execution. The company announced the appointment of Michael Powell as its new Chief Operating Officer. This strategic hire signals a shift from pure growth narrative to scaling the firm's global delivery capabilities as demand for its systems intensifies.

Michael Powell assumes the COO role with a substantial background spanning more than 25 years in operational leadership. His experience covers defense, aerospace, secure communications, simulation, rail, and critical infrastructure sectors. Powell has held senior positions, including COO, Managing Director, and Operations Director, at major international firms such as Thales Australia and Knorr-Bremse. In these roles, he managed large, multinational teams and oversaw complex operational portfolios.

His primary mandate at DroneShield will be to scale worldwide processes, enhance delivery and maintenance capabilities, and tightly integrate engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain functions. This move underscores the company's commitment to maintaining operational readiness and "deliverability" as its counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solutions become integral to security frameworks for government, defense, and critical infrastructure clients globally.

Expansion Anchored by Manufacturing Growth

The executive appointment follows a significant expansion of DroneShield's manufacturing footprint at its Alexandria facility in New South Wales. The company reports this investment will lead to higher throughput, reduced lead times, and a more resilient supply chain.

Details from the Q4 2025 investor presentation, released in late January, outline an ambitious production roadmap. Capacity is projected to surge from the current A$500 million per year to A$2.4 billion annually by the end of 2026. Key components of this plan include:
* A new 3,000-square-meter production space in Sydney.
* An additional 2,500 square meters for research and development at the headquarters.
* Commencement of European contract manufacturing in early 2026.
* Expected start of U.S.-based assembly by mid-2026.

Financial Performance and Contract Momentum

DroneShield closed the 2025 financial year with record-breaking figures. The company reported:
* Full-year 2025 revenue of A$216.5 million, a 277% increase year-over-year.
* A cash balance of A$201.1 million as of January.
* Secured revenue for 2026 already standing at A$95.6 million.
* A sales pipeline valued at A$2.09 billion (January figure).
* A workforce exceeding 480 employees, with a target of 600 by end-2026.

Furthermore, the HY2025 results (first half of 2025) marked the company's most profitable six-month period to date, with a pre-tax profit of A$5.2 million.

Recent contract awards have bolstered the order book. Notable deals from late 2025 and early 2026 include a European military contract worth A$49.6 million (mid-December), followed by additional orders of A$6.2 million (Asia-Pacific) and A$8.2 million (Western military) in December. In mid-January, DroneShield was also selected for the Australian Defence Force's LAND 156 LoE 3 panel.

Regarding share price performance, the stock has experienced notable volatility in recent weeks. According to a report from Motley Fool Australia, following the release of the Q4 2025 results, the share price declined approximately 27% from late-January highs near A$4.50. The company's market capitalization is approximately A$3 billion.

The task for the new COO is clearly defined: to ramp up capacity and streamline the supply chain, ensuring the planned production expansion translates into shorter lead times and reliable delivery by the 2026 deadline.

@ boerse-global.de | AU000000DRO2 DRONESHIELD