DEFSEC Technologies Inc., a Canadian defense contractor that develops DEFSEC drone countermeasures alongside tactical digitization tools, has announced two changes to its board of directors. The company said David Ibbetson, who previously served as General Manager of General Dynamics Mission Systems International, has been added to the board. Longtime director Paul Mangano is stepping away from his seat at the same time, creating space for the new appointment at a moment the company has described as a turning point for its growth plans.
The announcement was made on April 20, 2026, from the company’s headquarters in Ottawa, Ontario. DEFSEC trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the tickers DFSC and DFSC.WT.U, as well as on the NASDAQ under DFSC and DFSCW. Management framed the board reshuffle as support for a new phase of expected growth, with Ibbetson’s background in global defense programs seen as aligned with the company’s strategic direction in Canada and with allied nations abroad.
Ibbetson Joins the DEFSEC Drone Technology Board
Ibbetson arrives with more than 35 years in the aerospace and defense sector, including 25 years at General Dynamics, where he moved through progressively senior executive positions. His most recent post at the company was General Manager of the international division of General Dynamics Mission Systems, a unit based in Ottawa. During that tenure he oversaw operations spanning Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, giving him broad exposure to allied military customers and cross border defense procurement programs.
His track record includes oversight of major Canadian and United States defense programs such as Land C4ISR, the CH-148 Cyclone and the CP-140 Aurora Integrated Mission System. DEFSEC expects that experience delivering real time situational awareness and targeting solutions to translate directly into its own growth plans. Ibbetson also directed the export of systems into large initiatives run by the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense and other allied militaries, while building out significant work for General Dynamics Mission Systems in South America, Asia and Eastern Europe.
In his first comments as a director, Ibbetson said joining the DEFSEC drone defense board at this stage of the company’s evolution presents an opportunity to shape how modern tactical technology reaches soldiers and first responders. He pointed to battlefield digitization and integrated data streams as central to the mission of any modern defense supplier.
“I’m excited to be joining DEFSEC’s board at a critically important time for the Company and the defense and security industry. Digitization and integration is mission critical for the warfighter to secure and maintain operational advantage within the battle space. My goal is to see DEFSEC’s technology embedded as standard kit, so that the warfighter can rely on this technology for mission success and survivability.” David Ibbetson, Director, DEFSEC Technologies
Sean Homuth, President and CEO of DEFSEC, described Ibbetson as a valuable addition who brings deep knowledge of how to grow a defense enterprise across multiple regions and agencies. The board change will be reflected in the company’s corporate governance disclosures alongside Ibbetson’s listed affiliations and prior roles. Homuth added that he looks forward to working with the new director on the company’s next chapter of growth.
Mangano Departure Reflects Canadian Defense Focus
Homuth confirmed that Paul Mangano has agreed to step down from his seat to make space for a seasoned Canadian executive with deep experience delivering large scale Canadian defense programs. He said the decision aligns with DEFSEC’s growth strategy and its focus on participating more fully in Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy. Homuth thanked Mangano on behalf of the board for his guidance, commitment and hard work during his time with the company.
DEFSEC, headquartered in Ottawa, develops tactical systems for military and security forces with a focus on digitization, counter threat and less lethal capabilities. The company’s current portfolio includes digitization tools that stream real time shared situational awareness and targeting information from sources including drones directly to users’ smart devices and weapons. Other offerings cover countermeasures against electronic detection, lasers and drones, along with the PARA SHOT less lethal product line aimed at law enforcement. All of the company’s tactical systems come integrated with TAK and can operate stand alone or alongside original equipment manufacturer products and battlefield management systems.
