Canadian Armed Forces testing drones with manufacturers

The Canadian Armed Forces is actively testing drone platforms with domestic manufacturers at a specialized NATO facility in the Ottawa Valley. The event, dubbed the RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator, underscores the military's urgent need to integrate rapidly evolving drone technology into its operations.

Defence Minister David McGuinty announced plans for a dedicated military drone research facility in Mirabel, Quebec, signaling a significant government investment in this area. The federal government is looking to quickly adopt more drones, recognizing their increasing importance in modern warfare. A group of 30 organizations will receive nearly $30 million over two years to establish and operate a program focused on developing and strengthening defence capabilities.

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This is an example of how the military must do business with industry to innovate swiftly.

Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, commander of the Canadian Joint Forces Command, highlighted the event as a prime example of how the military must collaborate with industry to achieve swift innovation. He stated that this kind of direct engagement puts military drone operators and the industry experts developing the platforms in direct contact, facilitating crucial discussions about development needs and capabilities.

Molstad is leading the Canadian Armed Forces' efforts to determine the specific types and mix of new uncrewed platforms required for future operations. This includes evaluating lower-cost drone models, similar to those deployed in the Ukraine war, to ensure the military remains agile and effective in a rapidly changing global security landscape.

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He says this kind of event puts military drone operators and industry experts developing the platforms in direct contact to discuss how they’re being developed.