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Home / Business / Markets with Madison

Drone dominance: Why the US is increasing production and NZ could follow

Madison Malone
By Madison Malone
Senior Business Journalist, host of Markets with Madison·NZ Herald·
24 Jul, 2025 07:00 PM2 mins to read

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PrimerAI founder Sean Gourley was behind the Pentagon’s Project Maven. Now, he’s investing in the next wartime technology frontier - drones.

The United States is undergoing an effort to boost domestic drone manufacturing, although accessing components onshore is proving challenging, according to a New Zealand investor involved in the technology.

“I’m working with a number of drone companies here in the US,” PrimerAI founder Sean Gourley told Markets with Madison in San Francisco.

“One of the big, big headaches they have is trying to get non-Chinese components.”

Gourley said the promise of drones in a warfare context had been proven in battlefields recently, causing the US Government to wake up to the technology’s ability.

“No one had on their bingo card, ‘US$600 drones will go and attack and destroy 30% of Russia’s nuclear capabilities’.”

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An artificial intelligence software company started by Gourley (a New Zealander from Christchurch), was used in the Pentagon’s Project Maven where the US used AI to analyse drone footage in counter-terrorism efforts.

He had since invested in the San Francisco-based drone technology start-up, Mara.

“Mara is really focused on drone v drone attacks in the air.”

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Gourley said autonomous drones were an up-and-coming technological development.

“You’re seeing companies in Silicon Valley building these things, you always get a sense of what’s possible at the edge.”

Watch Sean Gourley discuss drone dominance and developments, and if New Zealand could meaningfully compete in the defence technology market, in today’s episode of Markets with Madison above.

Madison Malone travelled to the United States with support from the NZUS Council Media Fellowship programme. The council is committed to advancing New Zealand’s shared interests with the United States. Find out more about the NZUS council here.

Get investment insights from executives and experts on Markets with Madison every Friday here on the NZ Herald, on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.

Sponsored by CMC Markets.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this programme is of a general nature and is not intended to be personalised financial advice. We encourage you to seek appropriate advice from a qualified professional to suit your individual circumstances.

Madison Malone (nee Reidy) is host and executive producer of the investment show Markets with Madison. She joined the Herald in 2022 after working in investment, and has covered business and economics for television and radio broadcasters.

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