The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a rigorous evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers in a remote area near Ottawa. The event, named RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, allowed military personnel to test various aerial, ground, and maritime drones, along with long-range precision strike systems. Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, highlighted that twenty companies, predominantly Canadian, participated in the demonstration held in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario.
The selection process prioritized Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are known for innovation, the experience and technology related to battlefield drones are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements, emphasizing the importance of agility in a technology landscape that evolves rapidly.
The military’s primary focus is on acquiring aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, versatile ground drones for complex terrains, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they are exploring precision deep-strike capabilities, reminiscent of Ukraine’s success in targeting Russian oil facilities. Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military is moving forward by procuring MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from General Atomics and micro drones for surveillance purposes.
To enhance their drone capabilities, the federal government recently announced the development of a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec. This initiative complements ongoing efforts to strengthen Canada’s defense industry and technological advancements in unmanned systems.