Defense Metals’ Wicheeda Project Selected as One of only Three New Promising Projects by the British Columbia Critical Minerals Office for their Advanced Project Initiative

Press Release

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 23, 2026  – Defense Metals Corp. (“Defense Metals” or the “Company”) (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D), a company focused on the development of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project (Wicheeda Project), located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada, is pleased to announce that its has been selected by the Province of British Columbia to work with the B.C. Critical Minerals Office (CMO) as an advanced project. (Link to B.C. Government News: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026MCM0010-000179)

Projects are selected for the Critical Minerals Office based on established criteria, including strength of working relationships with local First Nations, geological potential, project readiness, commodity type, and other factors. Defense Metals is advancing the Wicheeda Project through technical studies and planning work, which serve to support the regulatory process, and the CMO will provide early coordination support to assist the Wicheeda Project as it continues this work and prepares for environmental assessment and future permitting processes.

The Honourable Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, stated: “The Critical Minerals Office provides key services to help take promising projects and move them forward faster, ensuring that B.C. continues to rapidly grow the sector. By supporting early coordination for projects like Wicheeda, we are helping ensure communities, Indigenous Nations and project proponents have clearer information and stronger alignment as projects move into environmental assessment and permitting.”

Inclusion in the CMO initiative reflects the province’s recognition of the project’s advancement and potential contribution to British Columbia’s growing critical minerals sector.

Mark Tory, CEO of Defense Metals commented “Selection for early coordination support through the Critical Mineral Office and to be considered a promising project by the B.C. government recognizes Wicheeda’s strengths and level of advancement. We are grateful for the province’s partnership as this support allows us to sync our technical progress with a clear, predictable regulatory pathway from the outset. By working in collaboration with First Nations rights-holders and the CMO, we are ensuring that Wicheeda advances in the fastest way possible as a world-class project that will deliver long-term sustainable value for the entire region.”

Defense Metals joins Northisle Copper and Gold Inc., Surge Copper Corp., and FPX Nickel Corp. in receiving dedicated support services from the Critical Minerals Office.

About Defense Metals Corp. and the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project

Defense Metals Corp. (“Defense Metals” or the “Company”) is an advanced rare earth elements (REE) exploration and development company focused on delivering strategically critical metals to Western defence, high-technology, and clean energy supply chains. The Company’s primary asset is its 100%-owned Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.

The Wicheeda Project is one of the most advanced undeveloped rare earth deposits in North America or Europe, featuring a robust mineral resource and mining reserve, as detailed in the Company’s 2025 Pre Feasibility Study (“PFS”) (refer to Company News Release April 7th, 2025) prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). The PFS, showed the economic potential of the deposit, supporting future project development.

Defense Metals is committed to advancing the Wicheeda Project through the Feasibility Study (“FS”) stage, permitting, and eventually into production positioning the Company to become a reliable supplier of critical rare earths that are essential to modern defence systems, advanced manufacturing, and energy-efficient technologies.

The Company’s shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: DEFN), the OTCQB Venture Market (DFMTF) and the Frankfurt Exchange (FSE: 35D).

The PFS for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Project, prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 is preliminary in nature and includes numerous assumptions regarding metallurgy, capital and operating costs, and market conditions.

Mineral reserves and the economic outcomes projected in the PFS are subject to significant uncertainties, and there is no certainty that the results of the PFS will be realized. Additional studies, including a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and permitting work, are required before a production decision can be made.

For further information, please visit www.defensemetals.com or contact:

Ali Mahdavi
SVP Corporate Development
Email: am@spinnakercmi.com

Mark Tory
President and CEO
Email: mark@defensemetals.com

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