The Canadian Department of National Defence is moving forward with a major initiative to procure a fleet of tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) designed to complement the Royal Canadian Air Force’s incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jets.
According to documents obtained by The Canadian Press, the government is currently in the planning phase of the acquisition, ensuring that the selected systems will meet specific operational and tactical requirements of the Canadian Armed Forces. The UAS platforms are expected to act as vital force multipliers by supporting surveillance, reconnaissance, and other mission-critical roles that align with the capabilities of the fifth-generation F-35 aircraft.
The program, once finalized, could carry a budget of up to 16 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $11.6 billion USD) and is projected to create demand for hundreds of military and civilian personnel. Officials have emphasized the importance of ensuring interoperability with allied nations, particularly in joint operations and intelligence-sharing contexts.
This planned investment signals a broader effort by Ottawa to modernize its defense infrastructure and bolster the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to participate in advanced, network-centric warfare alongside NATO and other partners.
