Shares in DroneShield have given back some ground, retreating from about AUD 4.70 at the end of January to roughly AUD 3.07 on the latest trading update. In the midst of this volatile period, the company announced a strategic management move aimed at underpinning its global expansion: Michael Powell will take on the role of Chief Operating Officer.
Powell enters with more than 25 years of experience in the defense and aerospace sectors, including senior positions at Thales Australia and Knorr-Bremse. His mandate is clear: scale the company’s global operations, sharpen supply-chain efficiency, and align manufacturing capacity with rising demand. CEO Oleg Vornik described the addition as that of an experienced operator who has successfully delivered large-scale programs, a capability he views as essential to securing the technical and logistical foundations for DroneShield’s ambitious growth plan.
From a financial perspective, the picture is a mix of strength and headwinds. DroneShield reported fourth-quarter 2025 revenue of AUD 51.3 million, up 94% year-on-year, but the figure marks a decline when compared with the stronger third-quarter result of AUD 92.9 million. Looking ahead, the company begins 2026 with contracted revenues totaling AUD 95.6 million, a level markedly higher than the start-of-year 2025 figure, which was effectively negligible. In the latest quarter, operating cash flow stood at AUD 7.7 million.
Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying DroneShield?
An additional tailwind for DroneShield is the recent qualification for Australia’s LAND 156 program. This endorsement enables the Australian Defence Department to procure from DroneShield directly, bypassing the usual extended tender processes. While the company has not disclosed any specific order values under LAND 156, management anticipates that the ensuing revenues will be material, reflecting the growing global demand for drone-defense solutions.
Investors have remained wary, with the stock’s slide reflecting ongoing uncertainty. The dual driver of a robust order book and the strategic COO appointment signals a strengthening operational footing. Whether this will translate into a meaningful reversal of the recent share-price weakness will largely depend on the seamless execution of the planned scaling across the company’s global footprint.
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