The Canadian Armed Forces conducted a rigorous evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers on Wednesday at a remote location west of Ottawa, aiming to explore various types of unmanned vehicles and establish partnerships with adaptable companies. Known as RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, the event allowed military personnel to test aerial, ground, and maritime drones, along with long-range precision strike systems. Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, mentioned that twenty companies, with eighteen being Canadian, participated in the demonstration held in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario.
One of the key selection criteria for participating companies was Canadian ownership or collaborations, aligning with the federal government’s recently unveiled defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are known for their innovation, much of the practical drone technology expertise is concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet the military’s technological requirements, emphasizing the necessity for agility due to the rapid evolution of drone technology.
The military is specifically interested in aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones capable of navigating complex terrain, and maritime platforms for both surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they are seeking precision deep-strike capabilities similar to those used by Ukraine in targeting Russian oil facilities. Despite the increasing presence of drones in modern warfare over the past two decades, the Canadian military has been slow to adopt a dedicated drone capability. Limited surveillance drones, some leased, were deployed with the army in Afghanistan, and it was only in 2023 that a contract was signed with General Atomics for the purchase of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, with delivery scheduled to begin in 2028. Furthermore, the military recently acquired a fleet of 50 Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance.
Last month, the federal government announced plans to build a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec, further emphasizing the country’s commitment to advancing drone technology.
