Drone boom vs. pilot strike: What you need to know about DroneShield, Volatus Aerospace, and Lufthansa

DroneShield – Technological advances drive growth

In recent months, DroneShield has impressively demonstrated how a company can benefit from current geopolitical developments. The drone defense specialist is experiencing exceptionally strong demand for its systems. This is directly reflected in the figures. Revenue in the first half of the year jumped 210% year-on-year to AUD 72.3 million. For the first time, the Company also posted an operating profit. A major order worth AUD 61.6 million from a European defense customer highlights the Company's growing international reach and marks a significant vote of confidence.

However, the real game-changer is the latest technology offensive. With "Landmark 4Q25 AI Software," DroneShield has rolled out its most crucial software update ever. The highlight is a new, emitter-based jamming technology. Unlike conventional jammers that disrupt the entire radio field, this intelligent software identifies the specific protocol of a drone, allowing it to disable drones in a targeted and more controlled manner. In addition, a hardware upgrade doubles the computing power of the flagship hardware, enabling faster response times. These updates strengthen the SaaS strategy and support the generation of recurring revenue.

To secure its technological leadership, DroneShield is investing heavily in infrastructure. A new research and development center in Australia with a volume of AUD 13 million is just one part of the expansion. At the same time, the Company is significantly expanding its presence in the US, a key market. An order backlog of AUD 2.33 billion provides planning security. For investors, DroneShield is therefore a bet on continued global armament in the field of drone defense, supported by its own cutting-edge technology and solid operational performance. The stock is currently available for AUD 6.60.

Volatus Aerospace – Stability and growth from two sources

Volatus Aerospace has developed a clear business concept based on two stable pillars. On the one hand, the Company generates reliable income through long-term, large-scale civilian contracts, such as the recently announced multi-million-dollar contract with a North American energy supplier. Volatus will provide inspection, mapping, and data services for an extensive network of approximately 100,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines. On the other hand, the highly dynamic defense business is driving growth. This smart mix of recurring industrial revenues and more lucrative, albeit more volatile, defense contracts makes Volatus attractive to investors.

In the defense segment, NATO is the key partner. The recent increase in a supply contract for reconnaissance drones from CAD 1 million to CAD 1.7 million underscores the Company's operational credibility within the alliance. This ability to serve complex NATO procurement processes and deliver on time is a high barrier to entry for competitors. The increasing importance of unmanned systems for the national security of member states offers a long-term growth area that Volatus is consistently tapping into.

Civilian projects deliver more than just cash flow. Inspecting thousands of kilometers of power lines requires advanced technologies such as operating drones beyond visual line of sight. These operational capabilities, which are being tested in the civil sector, are directly transferable to demanding defense applications. At the same time, the strategic partnership with VoltaXplore is ensuring the development of robust, domestic battery technology that will power both civil and military drones of the next generation. The Company is therefore already preparing for the future. The stock is currently trading at CAD 0.79.

Lufthansa – Between strike risk and strategic upswing

This fall promises to be eventful for Lufthansa, and not just for its passengers. A looming pilot strike could cause major disruption to operations in the coming weeks. The pilots voted overwhelmingly in favor of industrial action, citing the failure of negotiations over the Company pension scheme. Although a summit meeting has been scheduled to resolve the conflict, tensions remain high. In the short term, operational stability is uncertain. A strike would not only affect thousands of travelers, but could also jeopardize the hard-won upward momentum the Company has recently gained.

At the end of September, Lufthansa's management gave the stock a real boost during its Capital Markets Day. The message was clear: Lufthansa is going on the offensive. The Company plans to rejuvenate its fleet with over 230 new, fuel-efficient aircraft by 2030, including 100 long-haul planes. At the same time, Lufthansa aims to streamline its administrative operations and reduce up to 4,000 jobs, primarily through digitalization. These measures are aimed at increasing profitability, with the operating margin expected to climb to 8-10% in the medium term. This is the only way to remain relevant in the long term in the face of international competition.

Lufthansa now has to manage two projects at the same time. On the one hand, there is the strategic realignment and, on the other, the acute personnel crisis. There is a lot of friction, especially because well-trained pilots are in short supply. If the airline manages to find a solution here and at the same time push ahead with its modernization program, it could emerge stronger than before. If not, it faces the threat of a protracted operational disruption. The course for the near future will be set in the coming weeks. The share price is currently EUR 7.562.

While traditional aviation struggles with operational legacy issues, drone pioneers are demonstrating the future. DroneShield is driving technological advancement in the drone defense market through AI updates and a multi-billion-dollar order backlog. Volatus Aerospace combines stability with growth through stable civilian orders and dynamic NATO business. Lufthansa, on the other hand, must first defend its strategic upswing against acute strike risks. The lucrative paths to the future lie in unmanned aviation, while manned aviation must first navigate its immediate challenges.