The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a comprehensive evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers at a remote site west of Ottawa. The assessment, named RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, provided military personnel with the opportunity to test a variety of 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’s focus on seeking adaptable remote vehicles and potential partnerships.
Twenty companies, predominantly Canadian, participated in the demonstration held in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario. Emphasizing Canadian ownership or collaborations, the selection criteria aligned with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers display innovation, the practical drone expertise and technology are concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Molstad 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 interests include aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrain navigation, maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare, and precision deep-strike capability akin to Ukraine’s strategies against Russian targets.
Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military recently signed a contract with General Atomics to procure MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones. Additionally, the government invested in a fleet of Teal 2 micro drones for local surveillance and announced plans for a $30-million military drone research facility in Mirabel, Quebec.
Overall, the military’s exploration of drone technologies underscores the importance of adapting to evolving threats and enhancing operational capabilities in contemporary warfare scenarios.