The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a rigorous evaluation of nearly 20 drone manufacturers at a remote site near Ottawa to explore diverse types of unmanned systems and potential partnerships with adaptable companies. 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, mentioned that the demonstration involved 20 companies, with the majority being Canadian, showcasing their capabilities at a testing range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ont.
Criteria for selecting participating companies included Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canada boasts innovative domestic suppliers, substantial real-world drone expertise and technology reside in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian firms’ ability to meet military requirements, emphasizing the need for agile partners due to the rapid evolution of drone technology.
The military’s primary focus is on acquiring aerial reconnaissance, surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrain navigation, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they are interested in precision deep-strike capability, similar to the tactics employed in Ukraine’s successful strikes on Russian oil facilities. Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military took a significant step in 2023 by signing a contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, with initial deliveries expected in 2028. Furthermore, the government announced plans to construct a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Que, underscoring the nation’s commitment to advancing unmanned systems technology.