Overview
The Government of Canada launched the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) to accelerate the development, testing, adaptation, and production of uncrewed and autonomous systems for the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG). Led collaboratively by the Department of National Defence and the Defence Investment Agency (DIA), the initiative will establish a competitive supply arrangement that connects operational requirements with Canadian innovation and creates a more agile pathway to develop, acquire and integrate these technologies.
Recent conflicts have shown that drone technology evolves rapidly. Canada has world-class expertise across aerospace, robotics, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, sensors, secure communications, propulsion and advanced materials but these capabilities are distributed across industry, academia and government. The DDI will help build a more responsive and scalable Canadian ecosystem and it reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to provide the CAF and CCG with access to Canadian-developed technologies that enhance operational readiness while supporting Canadian innovation, skilled jobs and long-term economic growth.
Initial priority areas
Six initial use cases have been identified to provide focus for industry engagement and capability development.
- Low-cost tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance drones
Small, affordable uncrewed aircraft could provide tactical units with local intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The objective is to identify secure and affordable systems that can be made widely available to operators, tested in the field and adapted based on user feedback.
- Uncrewed ground vehicles for logistics and complex terrain
Ground-based robotic systems could help carry equipment, batteries, water and other supplies across difficult or dangerous terrain.
Potential applications could also include casualty support, communications relay and operations in environments where sending personnel may present additional risk.
- Uncrewed maritime surface and underwater systems
Maritime systems could support route surveys, the detection and classification of mine-like objects, maritime awareness and operations in constrained waters.
These technologies may also help support Arctic and coastal surveillance, port security and the protection of critical maritime routes.
- Standardized drone munitions and explosive payloads
The initiative will examine options for standardized and properly certified payloads, interfaces and safety systems for military uncrewed platforms.
A common approach could reduce duplication, improve interoperability and support safer integration across different systems.
- Low-cost, low collateral counter-drone interceptors
The initiative will explore affordable systems that could detect, track or defeat hostile drones.
This includes potential non-explosive interceptors and other low-collateral options that could contribute to the protection of military personnel, installations and infrastructure.
- Deep precision strike systems
The initiative will examine technologies that could contribute to a sovereign Canadian long-range precision capability.
This is a more complex area that will require additional technical, operational, policy, legal, safety and security work. No acquisition decision is being announced at this stage.
Competitive supplier process
A Request for Supply Arrangement (RFSA) will establish a pool of Canadian qualified suppliers across multiple areas of uncrewed and autonomous systems. Applicants will be assessed against the requirements set out in the RFSA. Qualification will not guarantee a contract but may allow successful suppliers to compete for future work, including research, prototyping, testing, demonstrations, limited acquisitions and potential production opportunities.
- The process is intended to engage a broad range of organizations, including start-ups, small and medium-sized enterprises, established manufacturers, defence and aerospace firms, universities, colleges, research organizations and Indigenous businesses.
- Previous defence experience is not necessarily required.
- Relevant technical experience, security readiness and the ability to meet operational requirements will be assessed through the formal process.
The RFSA is open until August 14, 2026. To support interested suppliers, the DIA will host a virtual information session on July 30, 2026, to provide additional information on the RFSA and the submission process. Representatives from the Canadian Joint Forces Command will be present to answer any questions on capability requirements.
- Participation in earlier outreach activities is not required to apply.
- All formal procurement requirements and deadlines will be made available through CanadaBuys, the Government of Canada's official electronic tendering service
Why Canada is acting
- Canadian sovereign capability
The initiative aims to strengthen Canada's ability to access, operate, sustain, adapt and scale critical uncrewed and autonomous systems. Depending on the capability, this may include domestic development and production, licensed manufacturing, partnerships with trusted allies, protection of intellectual property and more secure supply chains.
- Security and supply chains
Security considerations will be integrated throughout the initiative, including cybersecurity, supply-chain integrity, ownership and control, personnel security and the sourcing of sensitive technologies.
- Economic and industrial benefits
The initiative is expected to support innovation, skilled jobs and domestic industrial capacity in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, secure communications, sensors, propulsion, software and advanced materials.
- Supporting Canada and its Allies
The initiative's primary objective is to deliver operationally relevant capabilities to the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Coast Guard. In an increasingly complex and unpredictable security environment, the CAF and the CCG must be able to operate effectively across all domains, including land, air, sea, cyber, and space, alongside allies and partners, and at speed. This initiative will help modernize and strengthen those capabilities to meet evolving operational challenges at home and abroad while contributing to collective defence, supporting alliance commitments, and helping promote international security and stability.
