New offering aims to simplify operations and investment in drones, supporting scalable, profitable business models
Australia-based startup Drone Forge has announced a major milestone in the commercial drone industry: the development and upcoming delivery of the world’s first turn-key fleet of drones. The fleet, known as DF Fleet 1, is expected to be available in 2026 and is designed to give governments, commercial operators, and investors simplified access to drone technology and services.
This move reflects a growing effort across the drone industry to not only advance the technology itself but to create scalable and sustainable business models that support real-world deployment.
“The drone market has evolved rapidly and that has highlighted the need for mature asset management solutions that give direct and diversified exposure to the global drone opportunity,” said Thomas Symes, Founder and CEO of Drone Forge.
“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.”
Meeting the Needs of a Maturing Market
With the drone industry projected to reach $90.7 billion globally by 2030, both commercial and defense operators are seeking ways to deploy drones more efficiently. But market growth has been slowed by fragmented support systems and limited asset management solutions.
“The market does not need more drones—it needs a company that can enable, support, and scale customers,” said Symes.
Drone Forge aims to fill that gap. Its offering is built around providing full-service drone fleets that eliminate common barriers to entry for large organizations. That includes everything from procurement and insurance to long-term management.
“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.
End-to-End Asset Support
Drone Forge’s service model is tailored to organizations that require scale and reliability. The company offers:
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Specialist drone insurance underwritten through Lloyd’s of London.
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Comprehensive fleet management services including packaging, performance tracking, and maintenance.
These services are designed to support operators across a wide range of sectors, including emergency response, utilities, mining, law enforcement, logistics, and defense.
Strategic Growth and Partnerships
Since its founding in August 2024, Drone Forge has moved quickly to secure partnerships and expand its market presence. The company has formed alliances with global drone manufacturers including Airbus and Anavia. It is also an authorized reseller and support provider for DJI in Australia.
“With these alliances and robust capital backing, we’re poised to revolutionise the drone market and deliver next-generation solutions to Australia’s most demanding sectors,” said Symes.
The company has also launched a new headquarters near Perth to scale its operations.
As the global drone industry looks for ways to support wide adoption, Drone Forge’s turn-key solution offers a model that prioritizes simplicity, reliability, and return on investment. The launch of DF Fleet 1 marks a step toward turning drone technology into a mainstream operational tool—backed by infrastructure designed for long-term success.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Â Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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