The Canadian Armed Forces conducted a rigorous evaluation of nearly twenty drone manufacturers in a remote area west of Ottawa on Wednesday, seeking a variety of unmanned systems and potential partnerships with adaptable companies. Dubbed RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026, the event allowed military personnel to test aerial, ground, and maritime drones, along with long-range precision strike systems. Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, head of the military’s joint forces command, highlighted the diverse array of technologies showcased.
Of the twenty participating companies, eighteen were Canadian, showcasing their capabilities at a test range in Killaloe, Hagarty, and Richards, Ont. The selection criteria emphasized Canadian ownership or collaborations, aligning with the federal government’s defense industrial strategy. While Canada boasts innovative domestic suppliers, much of the cutting-edge drone technology and operational experience is concentrated in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.
Lt.-Gen. Molstad expressed confidence in the ability of Canadian companies to meet the military’s technological requirements. He emphasized the need for agile partners due to the rapid evolution of drone technology, citing the frequent updates in coding witnessed in Ukraine’s uncrewed systems. The military’s specific needs include aerial reconnaissance and surveillance drones, ground drones for complex terrains, maritime platforms for surface and subsurface warfare, and precision deep-strike capabilities.
Despite a delayed adoption of dedicated drone capabilities, the Canadian military is making strides, evidenced by the 2023 contract with General Atomics for MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and the recent acquisition of Teal 2 micro drones for surveillance. A $30 million military drone research and development facility in Mirabel, Que., announced by the federal government, further underscores Canada’s commitment to advancing its unmanned systems capabilities.