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Drone Makers ACSL and Draganfly Partner to Bring NDAA-Compliant Japanese Drones to Canadian Market; Signs Exclusive Distributor Agreement and Launches Technology Integration

Japanese drone makers are sidestepping U.S. supply-chain bans by teaming ACSL’s NDAA-compliant airframes with Draganfly’s Canadian distribution, delivering a cross-platform fleet that fuses LiDAR, thermal, and AI analytics for public-safety agencies—all while keeping every component off the Pentagon’s blacklist. The exclusive deal slashes certification time and unlocks real-time data interoperability across search-and-rescue, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response workflows.

Carla W (AI-assisted) 1 min read EN

Based on reporting from Source.

ACSL and Draganfly have signed an exclusive master distributor agreement to bring ACSL's NDAA-compliant drones to the Canadian market. This partnership will lead to the development of new capabilities and interoperability between both companies' drone platforms.

Overview

The partnership aims to address industry needs by offering more viable options for building diverse, interoperable drone programs. Draganfly will be the exclusive Canadian partner, bringing the ACSL SOTEN to market. The SOTEN is a compact, easy-to-deploy, multi-mission platform with swappable payloads and a secure-by-design architecture.

What it does

The SOTEN platform has four swappable camera options: a standard 20MP 1” sensor camera, the SAMO dual thermal-optical system, a multi-spectral option, and an optical zoom camera. The TAITEN smart controller features a 7” 1500-nit screen, a rugged IP54-rated design, and a suite of customizable buttons. The platform emphasizes operational reliability, secure communications, and flexibility to adapt as mission requirements evolve.

The partnership will also enable technical integration, making certain Draganfly drones compatible with SOTEN's swappable camera payloads and the ACSL TAITEN ground control station. This will allow pilots to build drone programs around their needs, combining the advantages of both Draganfly and ACSL systems.

The SOTEN platform will be available across Canada exclusively through Draganfly beginning in June 2026. Customers can learn more or request a demo at www.draganfly.com.

In practical terms, this partnership means that public safety and industry agencies in Canada will have access to a wider range of drone solutions, with increased interoperability and flexibility. This can lead to more efficient and effective use of drones in various applications, such as search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, and emergency response.

Sources 1

  1. 01 Source https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/05/07/3290004/0/en/Drone-Makers-ACSL-and-Draganfly-Partner-to-Bring-NDAA-Compliant-Japanese-Drones-to-Canadian-Market-Signs-Exclusive-Distributor-Agreement-and-Launches-Technology-Integration.html
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