The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers in a remote area near Ottawa. This evaluation, called RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, allowed military personnel to test various types of aerial, ground, and maritime drones, along with long-range precision strike systems. The event took place at a test range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario, with participation from twenty companies, the majority being Canadian.
One of the key selection criteria for participating companies was Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers showcase innovation, much of the advanced drone technology and battlefield experience is concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements.
The military’s focus includes acquiring aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones capable of navigating challenging terrain, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface operations. Additionally, they are interested in precision deep-strike capabilities similar to those used in Ukraine for strategic strikes. Despite the increasing prominence of drones in modern warfare, the Canadian military has been slow to develop a dedicated drone capability, with limited deployment of surveillance drones in past operations.
In 2023, the federal government signed a contract with General Atomics to procure MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, with delivery expected to begin in 2028. Furthermore, the military recently acquired a fleet of Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance. In a move to bolster drone research and development, the government announced the construction of a $30 million facility in Mirabel, Quebec, dedicated to military drone technology.