The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers at a remote site west of Ottawa. The event, named 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. Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, highlighted the importance of agility and adaptability in potential partnerships with companies.
Among the participating companies at the test range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario, were eighteen Canadian firms. The selection criteria emphasized Canadian ownership or partnerships in line with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers show innovation, the military seeks to tap into the advanced drone technology and expertise found in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
In an interview, Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ capabilities to meet military requirements, emphasizing the need for adaptable partners in the rapidly evolving drone landscape. The military is particularly interested in aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrains, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they are exploring precision deep-strike capabilities akin to those employed in Ukraine.
The Canadian military has been relatively slow in adopting dedicated drone capabilities compared to other nations. However, recent initiatives include a contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and the procurement of Teal 2 micro drones for surveillance purposes. Furthermore, plans are underway for a $30 million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec, to bolster Canada’s drone technology capabilities.