OTTAWA, ON, Mar 4, 2026 – Draganfly has appointed Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Michel Gauthier to its military advisory board. The appointment comes as Canada expands its Defense Industrial Strategy, which focuses on strengthening defense production, accelerating innovation, and modernizing procurement. The framework also aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains and expand domestic defense capabilities.
Lieutenant-General Gauthier served more than 36 years in the Canadian Armed Forces. As Commander of the Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM), he held operational command of Canadian Forces deployed abroad, including during Canada’s mission in Afghanistan. His responsibilities included strategic planning, coordination with coalition partners, and mission execution across multiple operational theaters.
Since retiring from active service, Lt-Gen (Ret’d) Gauthier has served in defense, security, and public policy advisory roles, including positions in government relations and strategic advisory services. His background includes military leadership, defense policy, and public-private collaboration related to Canada’s industrial defense priorities.
“We are honored to welcome Lieutenant-General Gauthier to Draganfly’s Advisory Board,” said Cameron Chell, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Draganfly. “His distinguished military leadership, deep understanding of Canada’s defense architecture, and proven expertise in government and international engagement will be invaluable as we work with Canada in its newly announced and rapidly expanding Defense Industrial Strategy. His decision to join Draganfly represents a powerful strategic endorsement of our technology, our mission, and our growing role within the sovereign defense ecosystem.”
Source: Draganfly
About Draganfly
Draganfly is a technology company specializing in the design and manufacture of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, along with associated software and payloads. Its offerings include drone hardware, data analytics, and AI solutions aimed at enhancing aerial data collection and processing. Draganfly serves industries such as agriculture, public safety, defense, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. With over 20 years in the market, the company has established a reputation for innovation in drone technology and data solutions. Its annual revenue is estimated to be around $10 million, reflecting steady growth as drone applications expand globally. Draganfly is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada, positioning it to serve clients across North America and globally. The company focuses on integrating advanced sensor technology and AI-driven analytics to provide actionable insights from aerial data, supporting decision-making in complex operational environments.