Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2026) - Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) ("Aegis" or the "Company") is pleased to update shareholders that it has completed a series of procurement, supplier and portal registrations across multiple Canadian jurisdictions. These registrations enable Aegis and its Indigenous-led partner, Malahat Energy Systems Inc. ("Malahat Energy"), to participate in government contracts for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous opportunities, with a key focus on the defence sector.

The Company is focused on Canada's North and the federal government's commitment to improving infrastructure in the Arctic to protect Canada's sovereignty. In 2026, Prime Minister Carney stated: "We are taking full responsibility for our security and sovereignty in the Arctic."

According to the Government of Canada's official 2026-27 Departmental Plan for National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence has a $51.7 billion plan that distributes funding across eight core responsibilities:

• Ready Forces: $14.6 billion
• Procurement of Capabilities: $12.8 billion
• Sustainable Bases & IT Infrastructure: $7.28 billion
• Defence Team (personnel): $5.38 billion
• Operations: $5.0 billion
• Marine Operations & Response: $3.65 billion
• Future Force Design: $1.45 billion
• Internal Services: $1.22 billion.

"Aegis and Malahat are focused on the North and Canada's investments in its forward bases and see these budget allocations as aligned with Canada's modernization priorities: Arctic sovereignty, continental defence, cyber capabilities and force readiness," as noted by David Parry of Malahat Energy Systems.

Malahat Energy Systems and Indigenous Participation

Aegis is a minority shareholder of Malahat Energy Systems Inc., an Indigenous-led company majority owned by the Malahat Nation. Malahat Energy is a designated Indigenous business, is a member of the Canadian Council for Indigenous Business (CCIB) and is listed in the Indigenous Business Directory. This positions the partnership to participate in procurements that include Indigenous participation targets and criteria.

Completed Registration Activities

Canada - MERX

• Malahat Energy Systems Inc. has completed registration with MERX, a pan-Canadian electronic procurement platform used by federal, provincial and municipal buyers to post opportunities and receive supplier responses.

• Presence on MERX helps ensure Aegis-Malahat solutions have access to key industry stakeholders and are visible and eligible when new energy storage tenders are launched.

Provincial Supplier Registrations

• As previously announced, Malahat Energy Systems Inc. has completed additional procurement program registrations and supplier qualification processes to support participation in relevant procurement processes across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.

British Columbia - Business BCeID and BC Bid

• Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. and Malahat Energy Systems Inc. have established Business BCeID accounts, providing access to British Columbia's online government services, including BC Bid, the Province's electronic procurement system.

• BC Bid is how the British Columbia government posts and manages purchasing opportunities. Being properly registered is a basic requirement to see, qualify for and bid on public-sector energy and infrastructure contracts.

Ontario - Independent Electricity System Operator ("IESO")

• Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. and Malahat Energy Systems Inc. have completed organization registration with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) and are progressing through the applicable Participation Agreement process.

• The IESO operates Ontario's electricity market. Registration is a prerequisite to potentially participate in programs and procurements where battery energy storage can support grid reliability and renewable integration.

These registrations are administrative in nature and do not yet represent project awards, purchase commitments or future revenue. However, they position Aegis and Malahat Energy as battery energy storage system suppliers across multiple provinces, which is often a pre-condition to submitting proposals for public-sector projects.

"Achieving certified Indigenous supplier status and securing registration on MERX, BC Bid, IESO, and other procurement portals is a major milestone for Aegis and Malahat. With technology-ready systems already performing in the field and now eligible for government acquisition, we are positioned to participate meaningfully in upcoming defence programs.

Canada's $150 billion defence commitment over the next five years includes a mandated 5% Indigenous participation requirement-representing roughly $7.5 billion in opportunities for qualified Indigenous suppliers. Malahat is now directly aligned to compete for that work," says Chris McGillivray, Vice President Client Relations.

Product Portfolio and Target Applications

Aegis and Malahat Energy offer a portfolio of battery energy storage systems designed for demanding environments and mission-critical uses, including:

• PWR-FLEX 261Q
• Tough Bhoy
• 5 MWh Utility-Scale Battery Energy Storage System.

These systems are engineered for commercial and industrial facilities in Canada's North, as well as for utilities, mining operations, telecommunications, defence installations, remote communities and other critical infrastructure.

Aegis and Malahat Energy Systems continue business development activities with utilities, EPC contractors, project developers, electrical distributors, Indigenous communities, commercial and industrial customers, and technology partners regarding battery energy storage opportunities in Canada. These activities are intended to support the Company's ongoing proactive engagement and potential participation in procurement and project opportunities.

About Malahat Energy Systems Inc.

Malahat Energy Systems Inc. is an Indigenous-led enterprise affiliated with the Malahat Nation, will play a leading role in system development, manufacturing, and Indigenous participation across defence and clean energy. For more information, visit www.malahatenergysystems.com.

About Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.

Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp. (CSE: QESS) (OTCQB: QESSF) (FSE: JG6) is a Canadian-based energy technology company focused on the development of secure and resilient energy systems for critical infrastructure. The Company's integrated platform combines advanced energy storage, hybrid and distributed generation systems, intelligent control architectures and cybersecurity to deliver high-reliability solutions for applications across defence, marine, remote and industrial sectors. For more information, visit www.aegiscriticalenergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.'s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/308289

Source: Aegis Critical Energy Defence Corp.