WILMINGTON, Mass., Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liberty Defense Holdings Ltd. (“Liberty” or the “Company”) (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF), a leading technology provider of AI-based next generation detection solutions for concealed weapons and threats, today announced it has secured a sale with a well-known Infectious Disease Laboratory to deploy a HEXWAVE™ walkthrough screening system, supporting security screening for all employees and visitors.

This facility is a is a world-class research facility dedicated to advancing the understanding of infectious diseases that pose significant—or potential—public health threats. Its mission centers on uncovering how pathogens cause disease and driving the development of innovative diagnostics, vaccines, and treatments to combat emerging and re-emerging infectious agents.

At the facility, HEXWAVE™ will be deployed to screen both employees and visitors entering and exiting the laboratory, enhancing safety by providing an additional layer of threat detection without slowing the flow of authorized personnel. HEXWAVE™ combines active millimeter-wave imaging with AI to detect a broad range of concealed threats—including metallic and non-metallic items, liquids, gels, powders, ceramics, and other emerging materials—while allowing most everyday items to remain on the person. The system enables fast, contactless, high-volume screening and integrates effortlessly with existing security, video, and access-control systems.

“We continue to diversify our custom clientele with HEXWAVE, especially with organizations where safety and security are paramount,” said Bill Frain, CEO of Liberty Defense. “This award came after a successful on-site trial, and our continued collaboration with the customer focused on meeting their rigorous screening standards. HEXWAVE delivers the advanced detection performance they require—identifying both metallic and non-metallic threats critical to maintaining a secure laboratory environment.”

The Company also announces that its amended omnibus incentive plan (the “2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan”) was approved by shareholders at the Company’s annual general meeting held on December 12, 2025, and has since received final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. The 2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, restricted share units and deferred share units, and provides that the maximum number of common shares issuable under the plan, together with all other share compensation arrangements, shall not exceed 10% of the Company’s outstanding common shares at any time. The 2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan replaces the Company’s prior omnibus incentive plan in its entirety, and all existing equity awards are now governed by the terms of the 2025 Omnibus Incentive Plan. A copy of the plan is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+.

About Liberty Defense
Liberty Defense (TSXV: SCAN, OTCQB: LDDFF, FSE:E30) provides multi-technology security solutions for concealed weapons detection in high volume foot traffic areas and locations requiring enhanced security such as airports, stadiums, schools, and more. Liberty’s HEXWAVE product, for which the company has secured an exclusive license from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as a technology transfer agreement for patents related to active 3D radar imaging technology, provides discrete, modular, and scalable protection to provide layered, stand-off detection capability of metallic and non-metallic weapons. Liberty has also recently licensed the millimeter wave-based, High-Definition Advanced Imaging Technology (HD-AIT) body scanner and shoe scanner technologies as part of its technology portfolio. Liberty is committed to protecting communities and preserving peace of mind through superior security detection solutions.

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Investor Relations:

Crescendo Communications, LLC
SCAN@crescendo-ir.com
212-671-1020

For further information about Liberty Defense, please contact:

Jay Adelaar
Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, Liberty Defense
604-809-2500
jay@libertydefense.com

For sales information, please contact:

Ian McNaughton
Senior Director Business Development, Liberty Defense
613-292-3669
imcnaughton@libertydefense.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
When used in this press release, the words “estimate”, “project”, “belief”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “predict”, “may” or “should” and the negative of these words or such variations thereon or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information. Although Liberty believes, in light of the experience of their respective officers and directors, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate, that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information in this press release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the parties can give no assurance that such statements will prove to be correct. Such statements and information reflect the current view of Liberty. There are risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in those forward-looking statements and information.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are a number of important factors that could cause Liberty’s actual results to differ materially from those indicated or implied by forward-looking statements and information. Such factors include, among others: currency fluctuations; limited business history of the parties; disruptions or changes in the credit or security markets; results of operation activities and development of projects; project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; and general development, market and industry conditions. The parties undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of their securities or their respective financial or operating results (as applicable).

Liberty cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. When relying on Liberty’s forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Liberty has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraph will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Liberty as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Liberty does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.