AIRO Qualifies for Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIRO Group Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: AIRO), a next-generation aerospace and defense company, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Jaunt Air Mobility Canada has been awarded a Supply Arrangement under the Government of Canada's Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) Marketplace, establishing the company as a pre-qualified supplier eligible to compete for future Canadian Armed Forces drone and autonomous systems opportunities.

The Supply Arrangement, awarded by the Government of Canada through the Defence Investment Agency, is effective from September 10, 2026, through July 31, 2031. The DDI Marketplace is designed to accelerate the acquisition, testing, integration, deployment, sustainment and modernization of uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems for the Canadian Armed Forces.

"Qualification under Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace reflects the strength of our technology portfolio and our commitment to supporting allied defence and security priorities," said Joe Burns, Chief Executive Officer of AIRO. "AIRO is well positioned to contribute innovative uncrewed systems, advanced aviation technologies, and engineering expertise that can help address the evolving operational requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces and their partners."

As a qualified supplier under the Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace, AIRO is positioned to compete for future Canadian Armed Forces opportunities involving uncrewed systems, engineering services, testing, training, and command and control capabilities. The program provides a streamlined procurement pathway designed to accelerate the adoption of emerging defence technologies.

"Being selected as a qualified supplier within the Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace represents an important milestone for AIRO," said Eric Cote, President of Jaunt Air Mobility Canada. "Our team is committed to advancing innovative aerospace and autonomous aviation technologies that can contribute to Canada's defence readiness, operational effectiveness, and industrial capabilities."

The Defence Drone Initiative emphasizes rapid access to innovative technologies, increased interoperability with allied forces, accelerated experimentation and prototyping, and support for Canadian industry. The program is intended to strengthen Canada's ability to field advanced capabilities while fostering domestic innovation and industrial growth.

About AIRO Holdings Inc.

AIRO Group Holdings is a next-generation aerospace and defense platform driving innovation across defense and commercial markets. Headquartered in McLean, VA, with operations in the U.S., Canada, and Denmark, AIRO combines a global reach with deep technical expertise.

Through an integrated model, AIRO delivers mission-critical solutions centered on its drone platforms, leveraging advanced avionics, integrated training capabilities, and embedded autonomy across systems.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” or “anticipates,” or similar expressions which concern our strategy, plans, projections or intentions. These forward-looking statements may be included throughout this press release and include, but are not limited to, the expected timing of full-scale production of the JX250 and JC250; AIRO's ability to leverage its existing manufacturing infrastructure and supply chain capabilities; the development, testing, scaling, production, deployment, performance and capabilities of the JX250 and JC250; customer interest in, demand for, market acceptance of and deployment opportunities for the JX250 and JC250 and AIRO's other drone platforms; AIRO’s ability to compete across a broader set of mission requirements and grow its global defense platform; and other statements that are not historical fact. By their nature, forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact or guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in AIRO’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10‑K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as other filings AIRO may make with the SEC in the future. Forward-looking statements represent AIRO’s management’s beliefs and assumptions only as of the date such statements are made. AIRO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.