Today, the Government of Canada launched the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI), a new initiative that will accelerate the development, testing and production of Canadian uncrewed and autonomous systems to help provide the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) with access to the sovereign capabilities they need in an increasingly complex security environment.
Recent conflicts have underscored how rapidly drone technologies are transforming modern warfare and are central to modern military operations. These technologies can provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, support logistics, protect personnel, counter hostile drones, and perform a range of operational tasks. Success increasingly depends on the ability to innovate, adapt and field new capabilities at speed. Canada must be prepared to do the same.
Led collaboratively by the Department of National Defence and the Defence Investment Agency (DIA), the initiative will create a faster pathway for promising Canadian technologies to move from concept to operational testing and, where they meet defence requirements, into production. This will help provide Canadian personnel with the capabilities they need while creating new opportunities for Canadian industry. The initiative will engage broadly with the Canadian defence ecosystem, from start-ups to medium-sized enterprises and established defence manufacturers.
The DDI will connect CAF and CCG operational requirements with Canadian expertise in drones and drone-related technologies, including robotics, artificial intelligence, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, sensors, secure communications, navigation, propulsion and advanced materials. It will enable promising technologies to be tested, refined through operational feedback, accelerating their transition to production.
Initial areas where these capabilities could support CAF and CCG operations include:
- low-cost tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones;
- uncrewed ground vehicles for logistics and complex terrain;
- uncrewed maritime surface and underwater systems;
- low-cost, low-collateral counter-drone interceptors;
- standardized drone munitions and explosive payloads; and
- deep precision strike systems.
The Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) is open on CanadaBuys until August 14, 2026. The DIA will host a virtual information session to provide interested suppliers with additional information on the process and submission requirements on July 30.
Qualification under the RFSA will not necessarily result in a contract, but will allow successful suppliers to compete for future work, including testing, prototype development, limited acquisitions and potential production opportunities.
