The Canadian Armed Forces recently conducted a testing event for nearly twenty drone manufacturers in a remote location near Ottawa. The event, called RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, allowed military personnel to explore a variety of aerial, ground, and maritime drones, as well as long-range precision strike systems. Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, highlighted the importance of Canadian ownership or partnerships in line with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy.
The event took place at a test range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario, with the participation of twenty companies, the majority of which were Canadian. The Canadian military aims to collaborate with agile companies capable of keeping up with the rapid evolution of drone technology. Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to provide the necessary technology and solutions, emphasizing the need for adaptable partnerships.
Specifically, the military is seeking aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrains, and maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare. Additionally, the military is interested in acquiring precision deep-strike capability, similar to tactics observed in Ukraine. Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military has recently made strides, including the purchase of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones from General Atomics and the acquisition of Teal 2 micro drones for surveillance purposes.
Furthermore, the federal government announced the development of a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec, further emphasizing Canada’s commitment to advancing drone technology for defense purposes.
