A Saskatoon-based drone company is receiving $10 million US from American investors, including a company backed by Donald Trump Jr., just weeks after securing a Canadian military contract. Earlier this month, Draganfly Innovation Inc. landed a five-year contract to supply 100 drones to the Canadian Armed Forces, with the option to supply up to 4,900 more. Now, the company has announced a $10 million US investment from an American investment fund and Unusual Machines, a U.S. drone company backed by Donald Trump Jr., who serves on its advisory board. “Look, they’re investing. What can I say,” Defence Minister David McGuinty told journalists. “The purpose is that we are building our Indigenous capacity here in Canada to stand up new tech, new drones, new systems.” The deal comes as Canada looks to diversify its defence supply chains and reduce its reliance on the U.S. Alexander Salt with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute says the deal is part of a broader trend of growing international interest in Canadian defence companies. “What is notable, though, is that smaller to medium-sized Canadian firms operating in the defense sector are now attracting, I think, much greater international attention for capital investment because there’s a lot of cutting-edge technology being developed in Canada at this time,” Salt said. In a statement to CTV News, Draganfly said the funding will support its growth and expansion plans. “In response to rising demand for Draganfly’s proprietary products and technology in Canada and other allied countries, we have recently attracted investment to facilitate new hires and expand manufacturing capability,” the statement read. Retired Gen. Rick Hillier, a former chief of the defence staff, said he is not concerned about American investment in Canada. “I have no concerns about US investment in Canada. What we want is investment coming to Canada for the right reasons,” Hillier said. Draganfly manufactures drones in Saskatoon and Vancouver, with plans to expand its manufacturing operations in Edmonton and Ottawa. It also has operations in Tampa, Fla. The company says the investments do not come with board seats or special rights, though multiple members of the company’s current board do have ties to the U.S. military. One board director, Christopher C. Miller, served a brief stint as acting U.S. Secretary of Defense under President Donald Trump. Draganfly board member Thomas B. Modly is another former Trump appointee. He served as Under Secretary of the U.S. Navy from 2017 to 2020. -With files from Rory MacLean RELATED
