Canada Invests Over $600 Million in Drone and Military Technology Development

The Government of Canada will invest more than CA$900 million (about $660 million) in the development of drones and other military technologies.

The Innovation, Science, and Economic Development announced this.

The funding will be provided as part of the Canadian Defense Industrial Development Strategy.

The funds will be allocated through the National Research Council of Canada, which is implementing a long-term program to develop domestic defense-industrial capacity and dual-use technologies.

As part of the program, Canada plans to expand its domestic capabilities in unmanned systems and aerospace technologies.

To support this initiative, Canada will establish a Drone Innovation Center and purchase a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft.

The aircraft will be used as a platform for testing and developing new military technologies in cooperation with industry and research institutions.

Support is also planned for Canadian companies developing dual-use technologies.

These initiatives are expected to strengthen the country’s defense sector’s technological capabilities and support the growth of Canada’s national defense industry.

In February, Canada officially joined the European Union SAFE program, which aims to rearm EU member states and strengthen the European defense-industrial base amid growing security threats.

In addition, Canada and Japan have agreed to exchange military technologies, allowing them to jointly develop new weapons systems.

Japan will also be able to export defense equipment and technologies to Canada, providing the Canadian military with an additional source of supply, the Ministry of Defense noted.