DroneShield has strengthened its executive leadership team with the appointment of Michael Powell as chief operating officer, a move that underscores the company’s focus on operational scale as global demand for counter-UAS capability continues to accelerate.
The appointment comes as the ASX-listed counter-drone specialist enters a new phase of growth, marked by rising demand from defence, government and critical-infrastructure customers, particularly across Europe and the United States. DroneShield has also recently expanded its manufacturing footprint at its Alexandria, New South Wales facility, significantly increasing production capacity, reducing delivery timelines and improving supply-chain resilience.
The expanded site positions the company to support long-term programs of record and sustained international demand, as counter-UAS systems become increasingly embedded in national security, public safety and critical-infrastructure protection frameworks.
Powell brings more than 25 years of senior executive and operational leadership experience across defence, aerospace, secure communications, simulation, rail and critical-infrastructure sectors. His career includes senior roles such as chief operating officer, managing director and operations director at major international organisations including Thales Australia and Knorr-Bremse, where he led large multinational teams and managed complex, high-value operational portfolios.
Across these roles, Powell has built and scaled global manufacturing and supply-chain operations, led international business turnarounds and delivered large-scale operational transformation programs. His experience spans balancing execution discipline with the requirements of high-reliability, mission-critical customers operating in regulated environments.
In his new role, Powell will be responsible for scaling DroneShield’s global operations, strengthening delivery and sustainment capability, and aligning engineering, manufacturing and supply-chain functions to support the company’s expanding product portfolio and growing international customer base.
DroneShield chief executive Oleg Vornik said Powell’s appointment reflects the company’s emphasis on operational excellence as demand for counter-drone solutions intensifies.
“Michael is a proven operator with deep experience delivering complex programs at global scale,” Vornik said. “As demand for counter-UAS capability continues to accelerate, his leadership will be instrumental in ensuring DroneShield scales with discipline, resilience and a relentless focus on customer outcomes.”
Powell has lived and worked across Australia, the Asia-Pacific, the United States, Europe and the Middle East. He holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Engineering, is a Chartered Professional Engineer, and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineers.
For the counter-UAS sector, the appointment signals DroneShield’s intent to move beyond rapid growth into a phase defined by industrial-scale delivery, long-term sustainment and global operational maturity.
