Canada plans to invest at least CAD 2.3 billion, about USD 1.8 billion, in developing, buying and using advanced military drones and counter-drone systems, according to its proposed federal budget for 2026, which has been presented to Parliament in Ottawa, Ares Difesa reported.
The budget would give the money to the Department of National Defence over five years, starting in the 2027-28 fiscal year, to support a defence drone project and to improve both the use of uncrewed systems and protection against them.
When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Canada in September, the two countries signed agreements on drone production and on sharing battlefield experience, and Canada committed to give Ukraine up to a third of all combat drones made in the country as military aid. Prime Minister Mark Carney's government also announced its first orders in September, worth up to CAD 50 million, with the aim of increasing the number of drones in the Canadian Armed Forces tenfold.
Background
Government of Canada
Government
The federal government of Canada, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Description from Ares Difesa
Department of National Defence
Defence department
Canada's defence department, which would receive the drone funding in the 2026 budget proposal.
Description from Ares Difesa
