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 unmanned systems and potential partnerships with adaptable companies. The event, named 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 18 being Canadian, at a test site in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario.
Selection criteria for participating companies included Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are known for innovation, much of the cutting-edge drone technology and battlefield experience is concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements and emphasized the importance of agile partnerships due to the rapid evolution of drone technology.
The military’s specific focus is on acquiring aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones capable of navigating complex terrains, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they are interested in precision deep-strike capability similar to Ukraine’s successful use in targeting Russian facilities. Despite the Canadian military’s delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, recent developments include a contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and the procurement of Teal 2 micro drones for surveillance purposes. The government also announced plans to establish a $30-million drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec, further enhancing Canada’s drone capabilities.