The Canadian Armed Forces conducted a comprehensive assessment of nearly two dozen drone manufacturers on Wednesday at a remote location west of Ottawa, seeking diverse types of unmanned vehicles and potential collaborations 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, highlighted the participation of twenty companies, with 18 being Canadian, at a test facility in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ont.
The selection criteria for participating companies emphasized Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s recent defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers demonstrate innovation, the practical experience and technology for drone operations are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian firms’ ability to match technology requirements and meet military demands promptly.
The military’s specific interests include aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones capable of maneuvering through complex terrain, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Notably, there is a focus on precision deep-strike capability, akin to Ukraine’s successful use of such technology against Russian targets. Despite the increasing prevalence of drones on the battlefield over the past two decades, the Canadian military has been slow to adopt dedicated drone capabilities. Only a limited number of surveillance drones, some leased, were utilized by the army in Afghanistan.
In 2023, the federal government finalized a contract with General Atomics for the procurement of 11 MQ-9B SkyGuardian (CQ-9B Guardian) long-range armed remotely piloted aircraft systems, with initial deliveries scheduled to commence in 2028. Additionally, the military recently acquired a fleet of 50 Teal 2 micro drones from the U.S. for local surveillance purposes. Further bolstering its drone capabilities, the government announced plans to establish a $30 million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Que., last month.
