ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA) announced the launch of a dedicated drone testing and operational validation facility in Ukraine, a move that will allow the company to conduct real‑world validation of its Interceptor P‑1 and other counter‑UAS platforms in an active conflict environment.
The facility is part of ZenaTech’s broader strategy to accelerate the development of cost‑effective, expendable counter‑drone solutions for U.S. defense and allied customers. By testing in Ukraine, the company can gather performance data against live threat scenarios, strengthen product credibility, and expedite future DoD procurement approvals.
The announcement follows a prior disclosure of a manufacturing plant in Ukraine, positioning ZenaTech to meet growing demand for rapid, field‑ready counter‑UAS systems under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and new Pentagon directives. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4 2025, includes defense spending provisions, while a December 8 2025 policy expanded base commanders’ defensive areas and authorized drone defense, creating a favorable regulatory backdrop.
Shaun Passley, ZenaTech’s CEO, said, “Ukraine represents an unparalleled testing and validation environment for defense drone systems. There is no testing environment on earth that replicates the operational intensity, threat complexity, and pace of innovation occurring in Ukraine today. By conducting our drone testing and product validation in this environment, we gain a level of real‑world operational credibility that cannot be replicated in a laboratory or controlled airspace. Every data point we expect to collect, every engagement scenario we plan to validate, and every product iteration we execute in Ukraine will directly strengthen our product offering for defense customers from Gulf states to NATO allies to the U.S. Department of War.”
Passley also noted, “Ukraine represents both a strategic manufacturing base and a real‑world proving ground for drone technology. Our autonomous interceptor drone systems are purpose‑built for the modern battlefield, and establishing manufacturing operations in Ukraine demonstrates our dedication to delivering combat‑ready solutions with the scale, speed, and compliance that defense customers require. This operation is intended to directly advance our mission to become a leading provider of counter‑UAS capabilities for the U.S. Department of War and our Gulf nation partners.”
The company also highlighted the Interceptor P‑1’s cost target, stating, “We are engineering the Interceptor P‑1 with a clear goal: maximize performance while minimizing cost. The result is a smarter, more accessible solution for modern aerial operations targeted to sell for less than $5,000 per drone for the new world of asymmetric warfare.”
Financially, ZenaTech reported a 321% revenue increase in the twelve months ending Q3 2025, but the company’s stock has declined nearly 60% over the past six months, reflecting concerns about cash burn and valuation. The company’s aggressive investment in testing and manufacturing in Ukraine is expected to accelerate product development, but it also adds operational risk in a conflict zone.
Investors have expressed excitement about the real‑world testing capability, while also noting the company’s high cash burn and the challenges of operating in an active war environment. The announcement is expected to reinforce ZenaTech’s competitive position in the rapidly growing counter‑UAS market, which is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2030.
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