The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of nearly 20 drone manufacturers in a remote area near Ottawa to explore various types of drones and potential partnerships with adaptable companies. The exercise, referred to as RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, allowed military personnel to test 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 20 companies, with the majority being Canadian, at a testing site in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario.
A key selection criterion for participating companies was Canadian ownership or collaboration, aligning with the federal government’s recent defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are known for innovation, the expertise in battlefield drone technology is predominantly concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements and emphasized the need for agile partnerships due to the rapid evolution of drone technology.
The military’s focus includes aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones capable of maneuvering complex terrain, and maritime platforms for both surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, there is interest in acquiring precision deep-strike capabilities, similar to those effectively used by Ukraine in targeting Russian oil facilities. Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military is progressing, having signed a contract in 2023 with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, set for delivery from 2028 onwards. Furthermore, the military has acquired a fleet of Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance and is constructing a $30 million drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec.
The event underscores the military’s strategic push towards enhancing its drone capabilities and fostering partnerships to meet evolving defense needs.
