RocketDNA’s Rising Losses Signal Growing Pains Amid Autonomous Drone Expansion
RocketDNA Ltd reported a 6% increase in revenue to AUD 76.83 million for the year ended 31 December 2025, expanding its autonomous drone footprint across Australia and Africa while securing major mining contracts.
- 6% revenue growth to AUD 76.83 million in FY2025
- 46% increase in net loss after tax to AUD 2.815 million due to scaling investments
- Expansion from 2 to 7 active autonomous drone sites
- Secured multi-year contracts with BHP, Anglo American, and other mining giants
- Raised AUD 4 million capital to support hardware and software development
Financial Performance and Growth
RocketDNA Ltd has delivered a solid financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting revenues of AUD 76.83 million, marking a 6% increase over the previous year. Despite this growth, the company recorded a net loss after tax of AUD 2.815 million, a 46% increase compared to 2024, reflecting continued investment in scaling its autonomous drone operations and technology platform.
The company’s revenue growth was underpinned by expanding its operational footprint and deepening engagements with Tier 1 mining customers. RocketDNA’s focus on disciplined execution and cost control has supported this expansion while maintaining service reliability.
Operational Expansion and Contract Wins
During FY2025, RocketDNA increased its active autonomous drone sites from 2 to 7, completing over 10,000 autonomous missions. The company’s flagship xBot® drone-in-a-box platform saw wider deployment across mining, infrastructure, and government sectors in Australia and Africa.
Significant contract wins included multi-year agreements with BHP Western Australian Iron Ore, Assmang’s Khumani Iron Ore Mine in South Africa, Norton Gold Fields, and a pilot project with Rio Tinto at the Gudai-Darri iron ore mine. These contracts not only validate RocketDNA’s technology but also strengthen its recurring revenue base.
Technology and Regulatory Leadership
RocketDNA continues to lead in regulatory approvals, holding Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) certifications across multiple jurisdictions and achieving Gold Status in the Basic Aviation Risk Standard (BARS) program in Australia and South Africa. The company’s Remote Operations Centres in Perth, Adelaide, and Johannesburg enable compliant, centrally managed drone operations at scale.
Software adoption also advanced, with the integration of SiteTube® across deployments enhancing real-time data visualization and automated reporting. The company is investing in its new Skylink® software to further streamline flight and data management, positioning itself for scalable software-driven recurring revenue.
Capital Raising and Governance
RocketDNA completed a successful AUD 4 million capital raise in 2025, bolstering its balance sheet to support fleet expansion and technology development. The Board and executive leadership remained stable throughout the year, with the addition of an Advisory Board to guide strategy, regulatory engagement, and market access.
No dividends were declared, consistent with the company’s focus on reinvesting capital to drive growth. The shareholder register saw some shifts, including the exit of a long-standing investor and increased holdings by another, contributing to a more stable ownership base.
Outlook
RocketDNA enters 2026 at a pivotal stage, with a clear operating model, a differentiated regulatory position, and a growing contracted revenue base. The company’s disciplined approach to scaling autonomous drone operations and software services aims to deliver sustainable value creation in mining and adjacent sectors such as public safety.
Bottom Line?
RocketDNA’s 2025 results highlight a company scaling its autonomous drone platform amid ongoing investment and market validation, setting the stage for potential profitability as recurring revenues deepen.
Questions in the middle?
- How will RocketDNA’s new Skylink® software impact future revenue streams and customer engagement?
- What are the company’s plans to achieve profitability given the rising net losses amid scaling?
- How might regulatory changes or expansions in BVLOS approvals influence RocketDNA’s growth trajectory?
