The Canadian Armed Forces conducted tests with nearly two dozen drone manufacturers in a remote area west of Ottawa. The event, named RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, allowed military personnel to evaluate various aerial, ground, and maritime drones, along with long-range precision strike systems. Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, overseeing the military’s joint forces command, mentioned that twenty companies, predominantly Canadian, participated in the demonstration held in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ontario.
The selection criteria for participating companies focused on Canadian ownership or partnerships, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canadian suppliers are innovative, much of the advanced drone technology and real-world experience is concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Molstad expressed confidence in Canadian companies’ ability to meet military requirements and adapt swiftly to evolving drone technology. The military is particularly interested in aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrains, maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare, and precision deep-strike capabilities like those employed by Ukraine.
Despite the Canadian military’s delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, recent initiatives indicate progress. In 2023, a contract was signed with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones, set for delivery in 2028. Additionally, the military acquired a fleet of Teal 2 micro drones for surveillance purposes. The federal government’s plans include the construction of a $30-million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Quebec.