The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a thorough assessment of nearly 20 drone manufacturers in a remote area near Ottawa, seeking diverse unmanned systems and potential partnerships with adaptable companies. Dubbed RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, the event 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 participation of 20 companies, with 18 being Canadian, at a test range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ont.
Emphasizing Canadian ownership or collaborations, a key criterion for company selection was aligned with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While acknowledging domestic innovation, Molstad noted that significant drone expertise and technology are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. He expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements, stressing the need for agile partners due to the rapid evolution of drone technology.
The military’s specific focus includes acquiring aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrains, maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare, and precision deep-strike capabilities akin to Ukraine’s successful use against Russian facilities. Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military recently inked a contract with General Atomics in 2023 for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, set for delivery from 2028 onwards. Additionally, the military procured a fleet of 50 Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance in the past two years.
Furthermore, the federal government announced plans to establish a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec, as part of its ongoing efforts to bolster defense capabilities.