Canada is preparing to invest more than 900 million Canadian dollars ($663 million) to expand research and development related to drones and airborne defense technologies. The funding initiative will be managed by the National Research Council (NRC), the country’s primary public research organization responsible for advancing scientific and technological innovation across sectors including aerospace, defense, and advanced manufacturing. As part of the program, Canada plans to establish a new research and testing facility dedicated to studying unmanned aerial systems and related technologies. The center will support research into drone applications for both military and civilian purposes, including surveillance operations, disaster response, and monitoring of critical infrastructure. The initiative also includes the acquisition of a Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft that will serve as a specialized research platform for flight testing and defense technology development. The aircraft will be assembled at Bombardier’s facility near Toronto Pearson Airport in Mississauga, Ontario, while interior completion work will take place in Dorval, Quebec. More than 65 Canadian suppliers are expected to contribute components and services to the aircraft program. According to Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, the investment aims to strengthen Canada’s domestic technological capabilities while supporting national companies involved in fields such as aerospace engineering, unmanned systems, quantum technologies, and biomedical innovation. The research initiative is part of Canada’s broader Defence Industrial Strategy, introduced by Prime Minister Mark Carney, which seeks to expand national military capabilities and reduce reliance on the United States for key defense technologies. The strategy outlines more than 500 billion Canadian dollars in long-term investments to support national security, with funds allocated for defense procurement, infrastructure development, and expanded military capabilities over the coming decade.
