The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a testing event with nearly twenty drone manufacturers at a secluded site near Ottawa. The event, named RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, provided military personnel the opportunity to assess 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 participation of twenty companies, the majority being Canadian, at a test range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ont.
The selection criteria for participating companies emphasized Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. Although Canadian suppliers are known for their innovation, much of the advanced drone technology and battlefield experience is concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
According to Molstad, Canadian companies are capable of matching the required technology and meeting military demands. He emphasized the need for agility in selected partners due to the rapid evolution of drone technology, similar to the ongoing updates in Ukraine’s uncrewed systems.
The military is particularly interested in acquiring aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for intricate terrains, maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare, and precision deep-strike capabilities. Despite the growing importance of drones on the battlefield over the past two decades, the Canadian military has been slow in developing a dedicated drone capability. The recent procurement of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones in 2023 and the purchase of Teal 2 micro drones for surveillance reflect the military’s efforts to strengthen its drone capabilities.
Additionally, the federal government’s announcement of a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Que., further underscores the country’s commitment to advancing drone technology for defense purposes.