DroneShield appoints new CFO amid rising revenue and high short interest

DroneShield, an Australian counter-drone technology company, has appointed Rebecca Lowde as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective November 2, 2026. Lowde succeeds Carla Balanco, who is departing after eight years with the firm. Lowde brings extensive experience from leadership roles at MYOB and Afterpay.

Despite strong operational performance, DroneShield's share price has faced significant volatility and downward pressure. The company reported a 74% increase in first-half revenue to $125.8 million. Furthermore, committed revenue for the 2026 financial year has grown to $251 million, placing it within the company’s full-year guidance of $250 million to $270 million.

Market analysts note that the stock is currently one of the most shorted on the ASX, with approximately 15.38% of shares sold short. This high level of short interest has contributed to price declines even as the company reports record revenue and secures new orders, such as the first deployment of its AI-enabled RfRecon system to a Western European military customer.