The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers at a remote site near Ottawa. 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 importance of partnerships with companies that can swiftly adapt to evolving technologies.
Twenty companies, predominantly Canadian, participated in the demonstration held in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario. The selection process prioritized Canadian-owned companies or those with partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are known for innovation, the practical experience and technology in the drone sector are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Lt.-Gen. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ capability to meet military requirements, emphasizing the need for agility due to the rapid evolution of drone technology. The military is particularly interested in aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrain navigation, maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare, and precision deep-strike capabilities.
Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military recently signed a contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2028. Additionally, the military acquired a fleet of Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance. The federal government also announced plans for a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec, further advancing Canada’s drone capabilities.