Axon announced an additional $1.2 billion investment in American drone maker Skydio, expanding an agreement to supply autonomous drones to emergency services. Under the deal, only Axon will sell Skydio's drones to public safety agencies across the United States and Canada.
The package consists of cash and Axon stock, providing new capital for Skydio and purchasing shares from existing investors. Axon said the investment will add approximately 20% to its fully diluted ownership in Skydio, valuing the drone company at $5.2 billion before the transaction. The deals are scheduled to close in the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions.
Skydio said more than 1,500 public safety customers use its systems and that drones arrive before officers in roughly 80% of emergency calls where they are deployed. The company expects to generate about $1 billion in total bookings during its current financial year, while Axon estimated the addressable market for drone-as-first-responder programmes in the US and Canada at $13 billion.
Axon chief executive Rick Smith said the investment gives his company a position in an emerging technology category while allowing Skydio to develop products independently. Skydio chief executive Adam Bry said the additional capital will help accelerate product development and advance autonomous flight across critical industries.
Also reported by DroneLife and Spider's Web
