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Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) is pouring over $900 million into a long-term plan to establish a drone research facility and purchase a Canadian-built Bombardier Global 6500 to support defence research.
The funding is coming from the recently established Defence Industrial Strategy.
“Canada’s security depends on our ability to innovate at home,” said Industry Minister Mélanie Joly at the announcement on Monday in Ottawa.
“We are strengthening our sovereign capabilities and supporting Canadian companies in the development of next-generation aerospace, drone, quantum and biomedical technologies.”
Accompanying Joly at the announcement was Defence Minister David McGuinty and Stephen Fuhr, the secretary of state for defence procurement.
“We remain committed to advancing sovereign defence technologies that enhance security, create prosperity and reinforce Canada’s strategic economic position as we chart our course in an increasingly complex world,” said Fuhr, who noted the NRC has been doing world-class research for more than a century.
The intention of the new centre is to conduct cutting-edge research into drones with both military and civilian applications.
McGuinty said the investment and research will help strengthen Canada’s industrial foundations and get new capabilities into the hands of the military faster.
The plane will be assembled at Bombardier’s Pearson facility in Mississauga, Ont., and the interiors will be completed in Dorval, Que., with more than 65 Canadian suppliers contributing parts.
At the end of last year, the federal government agreed to purchase six Global 6500 jets from the Montreal-based company to replace the air force’s aging fleet of Challenger jets. That contract was worth over $753 million and included production, training for crews, maintenance and any military modifications needed.
Built in Canada, the replacement fleet is expected to be delivered by summer 2027.
The Challengers are used to transport government officials and for military medical evacuation flights.
Joly said the jet being purchased for the NRC, which will be used for defence technological development, is on top of the order placed in December.
