An Australian defence technology company building and supporting complete uncrewed systems programs for regulated operations.
Founded in
2018
Drone Forge was founded in Perth in 2018 by Thomas Symes, built on a simple observation: organisations were buying aircraft when they needed working programs. Today the company supplies and supports uncrewed systems across Australia and the Asia-Pacific, and operates DF-UAV-01, a Western Australian facility for integrating, assembling and maintaining its platform portfolio.
To give operators one accountable partner for platforms, approvals, training and support.
To be the trusted integration partner for uncrewed systems, in today's markets and the industries that come next.
guide our work
Three values shape every bid, build and support decision we make.
Our Values
Trust
Trust is earned across a program's life: commitments kept, advice given straight, and support that shows up when it matters.
Eight working principles, applied to every program from platform selection to the last flight of the last airframe.
Platforms, operations, compliance and support are designed and run as one unified system.
Regulatory compliance is a design requirement, built into every operation from the start.
Deployment risk reduced through established technologies, trained crews and support that stays.
Platforms, operations, compliance and support are designed and run as one unified system.
Regulatory compliance is a design requirement, built into every operation from the start.
Deployment risk reduced through established technologies, trained crews and support that stays.
Technology exists to enable missions. Solutions designed around operational requirements and real-world performance.
Platforms join the portfolio on tested performance and service history.
Support relationships built to last. We succeed when our clients succeed.
Clear communication about capabilities, limitations, costs and timelines. What we quote is what we deliver.
Processes, platforms and procedures refined from operational feedback and lessons learned.
Platforms, operations, compliance and support are designed and run as one unified system.
Regulatory compliance is a design requirement, built into every operation from the start.
Deployment risk reduced through established technologies, trained crews and support that stays.
Technology exists to enable missions. Solutions designed around operational requirements and real-world performance.
Platforms join the portfolio on tested performance and service history.
Support relationships built to last. We succeed when our clients succeed.
Clear communication about capabilities, limitations, costs and timelines. What we quote is what we deliver.
Processes, platforms and procedures refined from operational feedback and lessons learned.
We're founders, engineers, compliance specialists and operators, based in Perth, building uncrewed systems capability for Australia.
Thomas Symes
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Thomas, founder of Drone Forge, brings expertise in capital market, corporate advisory, and technology entrepreneurship, having established multiple companies across emerging industries. With a strong foundation in finance and commercial strategy, he leads innovation and growth backed by formal qualifications in commerce and securities advisory.
Linkedin
Michael Weber
Chief of Staff
Michael brings extensive leadership experience across defence, aviation, and complex operational environments, combining strategic oversight with disciplined execution. His background in senior military service and executive leadership roles positions him strongly to support our next phase of growth.
Linkedin
Ben Symes
Chief Operating Officer
Ben brings extensive experience from the Oil & Gas sector, where he developed strong operational, mechanical and field-based problem-solving skills. His hands-on technical background and practical approach strengthen Drone Forge's capability to deliver robust, reliable solutions across complex industrial and defence environments.
Linkedin
Michael Rimbas
Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer
With a strong background in finance, governance, and compliance, Michael draws on nearly a decade in capital markets, and formal credentials in commerce, stockbroking, and directorship, contributing strategic leadership and operational oversight to Drone Forge's establishment.
LinkedinThomas Symes
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Thomas, founder of Drone Forge, brings expertise in capital market, corporate advisory, and technology entrepreneurship, having established multiple companies across emerging industries. With a strong foundation in finance and commercial strategy, he leads innovation and growth backed by formal qualifications in commerce and securities advisory.
LinkedinMichael Weber
Chief of Staff
Michael brings extensive leadership experience across defence, aviation, and complex operational environments, combining strategic oversight with disciplined execution. His background in senior military service and executive leadership roles positions him strongly to support our next phase of growth.
LinkedinBen Symes
Chief Operating Officer
Ben brings extensive experience from the Oil & Gas sector, where he developed strong operational, mechanical and field-based problem-solving skills. His hands-on technical background and practical approach strengthen Drone Forge's capability to deliver robust, reliable solutions across complex industrial and defence environments.
LinkedinMichael Rimbas
Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer
With a strong background in finance, governance, and compliance, Michael draws on nearly a decade in capital markets, and formal credentials in commerce, stockbroking, and directorship, contributing strategic leadership and operational oversight to Drone Forge's establishment.
LinkedinThomas Symes
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Thomas, founder of Drone Forge, brings expertise in capital market, corporate advisory, and technology entrepreneurship, having established multiple companies across emerging industries. With a strong foundation in finance and commercial strategy, he leads innovation and growth backed by formal qualifications in commerce and securities advisory.
Michael Weber
Chief of Staff
Michael brings extensive leadership experience across defence, aviation, and complex operational environments, combining strategic oversight with disciplined execution. His background in senior military service and executive leadership roles positions him strongly to support our next phase of growth.
Ben Symes
Chief Operating Officer
Ben brings extensive experience from the Oil & Gas sector, where he developed strong operational, mechanical and field-based problem-solving skills. His hands-on technical background and practical approach strengthen Drone Forge's capability to deliver robust, reliable solutions across complex industrial and defence environments.
Michael Rimbas
Chief Revenue and Strategy Officer
With a strong background in finance, governance, and compliance, Michael draws on nearly a decade in capital markets, and formal credentials in commerce, stockbroking, and directorship, contributing strategic leadership and operational oversight to Drone Forge's establishment.
We're building the future of integrated uncrewed systems. Explore career opportunities with Drone Forge.
Flight Hours
12,000
Deployments
150+
Compliance Rate
100%
Industries
6
Deployments
150+
Flight Hours
12,000
Compliance Rate
100%
Deployments
150+
Flight Hours
12,000
Performance
Systems must perform under real constraints. We engineer for reliability, durability and outcomes that can be measured in the field.
Innovation
Keep as is, Oxford commas trimmed: We push boundaries in autonomy, integration and deployment methods. Innovation solves real problems and creates capabilities that didn't exist before.
Industries
6
Industries
6
Compliance Rate
100%
