Canada launches new hub to advance military drone and autonomous technology

The federal government is launching a new centre focused on developing and testing drones and autonomous technologies for the Canadian Armed Forces.

The announcement was made by Defence Minister David J. McGuinty on July 14, with a goal of strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base and improve military capabilities.

“Drones are changing the way modern militaries operate, and Canada must be ready to develop, test and adopt these technologies at speed,” said the honourable David McGuinty, the minister of National Defence in a news release. “This new Defence Innovation Secure Hub will bring government, Canadian industry, academia, the not-for-profit sector, and the Canadian Armed Forces together in a secure environment to turn promising made in Canada ideas into mission-ready capabilities that support Canada’s defence priorities.”

While Canada already produces a host of drones, the new Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH), which will be based in Mirabel, Quebec, is a top priority for NATO according to Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen’s University.

“It’s partially about delivering on NATO commitments, it’s partially that the Canadian Armed Forces is desperately behind and needs the capabilities,” Leuprecht said. “It’s not surprising that a Quebec company is part of this because of course the liberal government is aggressively going after seats in Quebec.”

Leuprecht noted that the location in Mirabel also has a large underused airport that can be utilized to test larger sized drones. He also said the announcement was interesting because it brings together government, industry, and academia.

“There’s the research side, the knowledge translation side, and there’s the government defense used,” Leuprecht said.

While Quebec would receive the greatest direct economic benefits, including construction, permanent jobs, and local spending, Kingston would likely benefit indirectly through research collaborations, defence contracts, specialized military training, and military innovation.

An Espace Aéro-led group of 30 organizations from industry, academia and the not-for-profit sector will receive $29.6 million over two years to establish and operate the hub.

The facility will provide a secure environment where researchers, companies and government partners can work together to develop, test and advance new technologies, including drones and other autonomous systems, for potential use by the Canadian Armed Forces.

Leuprecht said while $29.6 million doesn’t sound like a lot of money, the entire investment is less than half the cost of a F-35 fighter jet and drones cost relatively little to produce.

“It shows that on this type of technology, relatively modest amounts of money can go a very long way,” Leuprecht said.

He added the operation as a whole will prove to have a significant return on the investment.

“A two-year timeline for any sort of defense technology, that’s pretty darn quick.”

The hub is part of the government’s Borealis initiative, which aims to support Canadian innovation and help move defence technologies from the research stage into operational use.

While drones won’t take over for the military, they will be useful in helping soldiers out in the field.

“You just need to look at the Persian Gulf. We need to look at Ukraine. It’s largely an air war, right? There’s a 30-kilometre kill zone that is completely dominated by drones. But drones don’t just do the fighting,” Leuprecht said. “Drones have to supply the soldiers because for hundreds of days at a time they can’t extract soldiers from the front once they’re there. So you use them to supply.”

Government officials say the new centre will help address challenges that have slowed collaboration between innovators and defence organizations by providing access to infrastructure, expertise and testing opportunities.

“In a rapidly changing world, Canada must have the capacity to innovate, build and compete at home,” said the honourable Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, in a supplied statement.

“The Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub will help Canadian innovators transform cutting-edge ideas into real-world capabilities that strengthen our security, support our Armed Forces and create good jobs across the country,” Joly said. “Through Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, we are investing in Canadian talent and technology to build sovereign capabilities, drive economic growth and ensure Canada remains a trusted and capable partner on the world stage.”