Top Aces Named Qualified Supplier Across Three Streams of Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Top Aces Inc. (“Top Aces”) today announced that it has qualified as a supplier under three streams of the Government of Canada's Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) Marketplace:

• Stream 2: C2, Communications, Data, EW and Cyber Systems
• Stream 3: Integration, Interoperability and Engineering Services
• Stream 4: Test, Evaluation and Training
  
  

Launched in July 2026 by the Department of National Defence and the Defence Investment Agency, the DDI Marketplace is designed to provide a faster, more flexible pathway to develop, test, integrate and acquire uncrewed and autonomous systems and related capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces.

Top Aces’ qualification enables the company to compete for future opportunities across three capability areas aligned with its operational, engineering and training expertise. Under the DDI Marketplace, qualified suppliers may be invited to respond to subsequent solicitations addressing specific operational requirements.

“Turning emerging technology into effective operational capability is where Top Aces can make a meaningful contribution to the Defence Drone Initiative,” said Paul Bouchard, Chief Executive Officer of Top Aces Inc. “For more than 25 years, we have supported the Canadian Armed Forces through advanced combat training and the integration, testing and evaluation of new technologies and mission systems in realistic operational environments. As uncrewed and autonomous systems take on an increasingly important role in modern defence, we are ready to apply that experience to help Canada advance these technologies toward operational employment.”

Top Aces brings relevant experience in airborne electronic warfare, advanced mission systems integration and engineering, operational test and evaluation, and small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) training.

Through its subsidiary, Blue Air Training – a leading global provider of contracted close air support (CAS) training for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) – Top Aces is already delivering tactical training that incorporates small uncrewed aircraft systems (sUAS) into realistic operational scenarios for allied ground forces. This includes the use of sUAS for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and target prosecution in combat training scenarios.

This operational experience provides Top Aces with a proven foundation to bring tactical sUAS training to Canada, integrating uncrewed systems with crewed aircraft and ground forces in realistic training environments.

Qualification under the DDI Marketplace builds on Top Aces’ longstanding support to the Canadian Armed Forces and allied nations, creating a new pathway for the company to contribute to Canada’s sovereign uncrewed and autonomous systems capabilities and operational readiness.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may constitute “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the management, are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

All statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof and, except as required by law, Top Aces does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any such statements.

About Top Aces

Founded in 2000 by former Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 pilots, Top Aces delivers advanced live and synthetic-blended air combat training to the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as NATO and allied forces worldwide. With an industry leading safety record of more than 160,000 accident free hours, Top Aces operates the world’s largest fleet of commercially owned tactical fighter aircraft, including the only privately operated F-16s. Top Aces also owns Blue Air Training, a leader in Close Air Support training. Built on an uncompromising commitment to safety, credibility, and operational realism, Top Aces and Blue Air Training provide mission critical training informed by real world experience – preparing allied forces to operate against advanced, near peer threats in an increasingly complex and contested environment. Experience Matters. Learn more at www.topaces.com.

Follow Top Aces on Social Media:

X: https://x.com/topaces/    
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/top-aces/     
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/topaces/    
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/topaces/    

Media Contact:

Erin Black
Director of Corporate Communications and Marketing, Top Aces
+1 (514) 694-7224
media@topaces.com