Australian startup Drone Forge has commenced packaging the world’s first turn-key fleet of drones. The first-of-a-kind fleet, DF Fleet 1, is estimated to begin delivery in 2026 and will offer unique direct and diversified exposure to a new and globally sought-after asset class. The company says it will revolutionise how investors, governments, and commercial operators access and scale drone technology.
“The drone market has evolved rapidly and that has highlighted the need for mature asset management solutions that give direct and diversified exposure to global drone opportunities,” said Drone Forge CEO Thomas Symes. “DF Fleet 1 represents a major leap forward for the global drone industry. Turn-key fleets will increasingly be an access point for investors looking to gain exposure to a new and growing sector.”
The global drone market has grown rapidly in recent years and is projected to reach USD $90.7 billion by 2030 across commercial and defence applications. Yet a lack of unified, scalable asset management solutions has limited take-up until now.
“The market does not need more drones. It needs a company that can enable, support, and scale customers,” said Symes. “By packaging a turn-key fleet for institutional investors and large-scale operators, we’re not only making drone technology more accessible but enabling operators across a diverse range of industries to take advantage of the latest unmanned aerial systems.”
Drone Forge’s cross-sector focus supports a wide range of operators in procuring, insuring, and managing drone assets. In each case, operators are seeking reliable partners to unlock the full potential of the technology.’
“DF Fleet 1 is about transforming drones from stand-alone assets into essential, enterprise-grade infrastructure, opening a new chapter for innovation and investment in the sector,” Symes added.
Drone Forge eliminates a layer of complexity for large industry operators, governments, and investors by offering a single trusted brand with the infrastructure to support every stage of the drone journey, from initial purchase and underwriting to ongoing management of the assets on behalf of the operator.
In March 2025, the company signed a letter of intent with Airbus to service the Flexrotor system in the Asia Pacific region. In the same month, Drone Forge also secured a partnership with Anavia to accelerate the growth of the HT-100, a heavy-duty, long-range unmanned aerial vehicle designed for a variety of roles, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and commercial logistics.
Core to Drone Forge’s ability to support and scale its customers is the ability to provide specialist drone insurance underwritten through Lloyd’s of London, ensuring that every asset is protected to the highest global standards. The company also offers full-service fleet management, packaging and maintenance fleets on behalf of investors, governments, and major operators, with robust asset performance tracking.
Drone Forge recently opened a new headquarters north of Perth CBD to expand and scale its operations.
