In brief: Canada plans to spend at least C$2.3 billion ($1.8 billion) over five years on military drones and counter-drone systems under its proposed 2026 federal budget. The investment follows an agreement with Ukraine to expand joint drone production, with Ottawa pledging to send one-third of Canadian-made drones to Kyiv.
Canada plans to invest at least C$2.3 billion ($1.8 billion) over five years in military drones and counter-drone systems, according to its proposed 2026 federal budget, as Ottawa expands defense cooperation with Ukraine.
The funding would allow Canada’s Department of National Defence to accelerate the development, procurement and deployment of unmanned systems and technologies designed to counter them.
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The proposal, submitted to parliament, forms part of Canada’s broader efforts to modernize its armed forces and expand domestic defense production.
The investment is intended primarily for Canada’s military capabilities, rather than as a direct $1.8 billion aid package for Ukraine.
The budget proposal follows defense cooperation agreements reached during President Volodymyr Zelensky’s September visit to Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to expand domestic drone manufacturing and supply one-third of Canadian-produced military drones to Ukraine.
As Kyiv Post reported, Canada and Ukraine also reached agreements on joint drone production, military assistance and air defense support.
Ottawa announced plans to establish a national drone marketplace modeled on Ukraine’s Brave1 defense innovation platform, connecting military buyers with nearly 400 Canadian suppliers.
Carney said Canada intended to develop the capacity to manufacture millions of drones within two years, drawing on Ukraine’s battlefield experience and Canadian manufacturing expertise.
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The countries also agreed to cooperate on unmanned ground vehicles, counter-drone technologies and other military equipment.
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