Top Drone Tech Stocks to Watch as Adoption Accelerates

ONDS, DPRO and RCAT are some stocks in the drone technology space that are worthy of investment consideration.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The global drone technology market is entering a new phase of expansion, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and cloud computing. Drones are now gaining rapid mainstream adoption, reshaping how governments, businesses and consumers approach border defense, surveillance, logistics and infrastructure monitoring. The defense segment continues to serve as a major growth engine, with growing geopolitical strains and defense upgrades driving increased drone adoption worldwide. Drone swarm technology is another eye-catching development, with the usage of drone swarms being extensively explored for tasks like large-area surveillance and search-and-rescue.

Why it matters

The drone sector has a long runway for growth, with the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drones market expected to witness a CAGR of 16.77% from 2026 to 2035. The shift toward the 'drone-as-a-service' model is also opening recurring revenue streams through software subscriptions and maintenance services, thereby improving the visibility for drone tech companies.

The details

Ondas, Inc. (ONDS) is focusing on M&A to strengthen portfolio offerings and broaden reach across multiple domains. Draganfly Inc. (DPRO) has 5-plus drone systems that are all NDAA-compliant, which is a competitive advantage as the U.S. and NATO eliminate non-compliant Chinese systems. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (RCAT) is witnessing solid demand from defense and government clients and expanding program wins, with the inclusion of the FANG FPV drone on the Blue UAS cleared list and NATO NSPA catalog approval for the Black Widow system.

  • The global drone technology market is entering a new phase of expansion.
  • The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drones market is expected to witness a CAGR of 16.77% from 2026 to 2035.

The players

Ondas, Inc.

A company focusing on M&A to strengthen portfolio offerings and broaden reach across multiple domains like unmanned ground systems, robotics and fiber optic communications, subsurface intelligence and demining robotics.

Draganfly Inc.

A Canada-based drone solutions and systems developer with 5-plus drone systems that are all NDAA-compliant, which is a competitive advantage as the U.S. and NATO eliminate non-compliant Chinese systems.

Red Cat Holdings, Inc.

A company specializing in robotic hardware-software integration for applications for both military and commercial uses, with its portfolio including Black Widow, TRICHON and FANG drones.

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The takeaway

The drone sector has a long runway for growth, with the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drones market expected to witness a CAGR of 16.77% from 2026 to 2035. Companies like Ondas, Draganfly and Red Cat Holdings are well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, with their innovative drone technologies, strategic acquisitions and strong demand from defense and government clients.