Ottawa announces $30M drone defence innovation centre in Quebec

The federal government says it will invest nearly $30 million over two years to establish a new defence innovation centre focused on military drone research and development in Quebec.

National Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the funding Wednesday in Mirabel, Que., a major aerospace manufacturing hub. According to the Department of National Defence, the project will support the creation and operation of a defence innovation centre dedicated to unmanned systems.

The initiative will be led by Aéro Montréal and a consortium of 30 organizations representing industry, academic institutions and the nonprofit sector. The group will work to research, design, produce and test drone technologies intended to strengthen Canada's defence capabilities. The new hub will be sponsored by the Canadian Joint Forces Command.

In a statement, McGuinty said unmanned aerial systems are reshaping modern military operations and that Canada must continue adapting to evolving defence technologies.

Quebec Economy Minister Bernard Drainville said the war in Ukraine has demonstrated the growing importance of drones in military operations. He said collaboration between the federal government and Quebec on drone development would strengthen Canada's security, support the province's aerospace sector and improve the country's ability to develop its own defence capabilities.