The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers in a remote area near Ottawa. This assessment, named RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, allowed military personnel to test a variety of aerial, ground, and maritime drones, along with long-range precision strike systems.
At the testing site in Killaloe, Hagarty and Richards, Ontario, twenty companies, predominantly Canadian, participated in the demonstration. Selection criteria emphasized Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are known for innovation, the practical battlefield drone experience and technology are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements. He stressed the need for agile partners due to the rapid evolution of drone technology, citing the constant updates in Ukrainian uncrewed systems.
The military is seeking aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrains, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, they are exploring precision deep-strike capability, similar to Ukraine’s successful use in targeting Russian facilities.
Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military recently signed a contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2028. In the interim, the military acquired 50 Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance. A new $30-million military drone research and development facility is also set to be established in Mirabel, Quebec.
The event underscores the Canadian Armed Forces’ commitment to enhancing drone capabilities and fostering partnerships with innovative companies to meet evolving defense needs.