Canada will invest 29.6 million Canadian dollars ($21 million) over the next two years to establish a defense innovation center designed to accelerate the development, testing, and integration of military drones and other autonomous systems.

Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH) as part of the government’s broader BOREALIS production program.

Located in Mirabel, Quebec, the facility will provide a secure environment where the military, government, researchers, and industry can develop, evaluate, and integrate new technologies into operational capabilities.

Quebec-based aerospace organization Espace Aéro will lead the project alongside 30 industry, academic, and the nonprofit partners under the sponsorship of the Canadian Joint Forces Command.

The consortium behind the UxS DISH was selected through a competitive process earlier this year and will focus on military drones and counter-drone systems, automation, human-machine teaming, operations in contested environments, and advanced sensor integration.

“Drones are changing the way modern militaries operate, and Canada must be ready to develop, test, and adopt these technologies at speed,” McGuinty said.

He added that the hub will help turn “Made in Canada” ideas into mission-ready capabilities supporting Ottawa’s national defense strategy.

The UxS DISH will join a growing network of Canadian defense innovation facilities, including the maritime-focused Defence Innovation Secure Hub in Nova Scotia and the federal Drone Innovation Hub in Mirabel.

By R.Manuel