The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a rigorous evaluation of close to twenty drone manufacturers at a remote site near Ottawa. The exercise, dubbed 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 event held in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario, where twenty companies, predominantly Canadian, showcased their capabilities.
Criteria for participation included Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canada boasts innovative domestic suppliers, significant drone expertise and technology are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian firms’ ability to meet military requirements, emphasizing the need for agile partnerships due to rapid advancements in drone technology.
The military specifically sought aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, versatile ground drones for complex terrains, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they aimed to acquire precision deep-strike capabilities, akin to Ukraine’s successful use against Russian targets. Despite a delayed embrace of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military recently procured MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from General Atomics, with delivery expected to commence in 2028. Moreover, the military acquired a fleet of Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance and announced the development of a $30-million drone research facility in Mirabel, Quebec.
The military’s efforts reflect a strategic push towards enhancing drone capabilities and fostering partnerships to address evolving security challenges effectively.