Canada is preparing to allocate more than 900 million Canadian dollars (around $663 million) to advance research in drones and airborne defense technologies, including the construction of a dedicated testing and research facility, according to reporting by CBC News.
The funding will be administered by the National Research Council Canada, which leads the country’s scientific and technological development efforts across sectors such as aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
Officials indicated that the new facility will examine drone technologies for both defense and civilian roles, ranging from aerial surveillance to disaster management and infrastructure monitoring.
Under the initiative, the NRC will also procure a domestically produced Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft to support flight trials and defense research activities.
The aircraft will be manufactured by Bombardier at its assembly facility near Toronto Pearson International Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, with interior completion carried out in Dorval, Quebec. More than 65 Canadian suppliers are expected to provide parts for the aircraft.
According to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, the program is designed to strengthen Canada’s domestic technological capabilities while supporting companies engaged in aerospace, unmanned systems, quantum computing, and biomedical innovation.
Part of a Larger Defense Strategy
The initiative is part of the country’s new Defence Industrial Strategy announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney to enhance military capabilities and reduce dependence on the United States for critical defense systems.
The strategy proposes more than 500 billion Canadian dollars ($366 billion) in investments aimed at strengthening national security, boosting the domestic defense sector, and reinforcing technological independence.
It includes 80 billion Canadian dollars ($58.6 billion) in direct defense spending over the next five years, along with 180 billion Canadian dollars ($131.9 billion) for defense procurement and 290 billion Canadian dollars ($212.5 billion) dedicated to security-related infrastructure during the next decade.
The funding will support the construction and modernization of military facilities, operational bases, and other key infrastructure required for defense production and operational readiness.
