The federal government is investing $29.6 million in a new defence innovation hub in Quebec aimed at accelerating the development, testing and deployment of Canadian-made drone and autonomous systems technology.
Defence Minister David McGuinty announced Tuesday the launch of the Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub, or UxS DISH, in Mirabel.
An Espace Aéro-led consortium 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 for the federal government, the Canadian Armed Forces, researchers and Canadian companies to develop, test, validate and integrate emerging uncrewed and autonomous technologies.
“Drones are changing the way modern militaries operate, and Canada must be ready to develop, test and adopt these technologies at speed,” McGuinty said.
The federal government said the initiative is intended to move promising Canadian technologies from research and development into field-ready systems that can support defence and national security operations.
The hub’s work will focus on uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems, automation and human-machine teaming, operations in contested environments and sensor integration.
The UxS DISH will operate under the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science, known as BOREALIS, and is part of Ottawa’s broader Defence Industrial Strategy.
Uncrewed and autonomous systems are among 10 sovereign capability priorities identified under the strategy as Canada seeks to strengthen its domestic defence industry and reduce gaps in access to critical military technologies.
The hub is sponsored by Canadian Joint Forces Command, which is responsible for improving the development and integration of military capabilities across land, sea, air, cyber and space domains.
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said the project would help Canadian innovators turn advanced technologies into operational capabilities while supporting domestic jobs and economic growth.
The Espace Aéro-led consortium was selected following a competitive call for proposals held between Feb. 18 and April 2, 2026.
Ottawa said the new Mirabel hub builds on its Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub pilot and is designed to address barriers that Canadian technology developers often face when attempting to work with defence organizations.
Federal funding will support security upgrades, infrastructure and collaborative activities required for sensitive defence research and technology testing.
The government says the project is part of its effort to strengthen Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces have faster access to emerging technologies.
