In a high-stakes announcement at Halifax’s Irving Shipyards, Prime Minister Mark Carney unveiled a sweeping new military strategy yesterday that puts Canadian-made drones at the heart of the country’s sovereignty and defence efforts. The plan prioritizes advanced aquatic and airborne uncrewed vehicles to protect the Arctic, secure borders, safeguard undersea infrastructure, and support allied missions.
“Now more than ever, we need to secure Canadian sovereignty by strengthening our military,” said Carney. “This is about defending our Arctic, our undersea infrastructure, our borders, and our allies with technology built right here in Canada.”
Later in the day, Carney visited The COVE (Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship), located across the harbour from Irving Shipyards. The marine innovation hub is home to the East Coast office of International Submarine Engineering Ltd. (ISE), Canada’s oldest subsea technology firm. His stop there highlighted the government’s growing focus on ocean tech and the critical role Canadian firms will play in next-generation defence.
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in British Columbia, ISE has spent five decades pioneering autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for both naval and commercial use—many of which are still operational in the Royal Canadian Navy today. With women in top management and a global reputation in subsea robotics, ISE represents the kind of homegrown innovation the federal government aims to scale through a renewed focus on domestic manufacturing and defence technology.
Its quiet presence at the COVE served as a subtle yet powerful reminder that the future of Canadian defence may be deeply rooted in capabilities already developed at home.
The prime minister’s broader plan also calls for expanding naval strength through new submarines and heavy icebreakers, fully committing to the National Shipbuilding Strategy to support over 21,000 jobs across the country. The Canadian Coast Guard will see enhanced capabilities, including new surveillance mandates and equipment designed to monitor and protect critical infrastructure.
To address ongoing personnel shortages, the Armed Forces will receive increased support for recruitment, pay, and services, ensuring the military remains a competitive and attractive career path. Procurement processes are also set to be modernized, accelerating the acquisition of critical infrastructure and next-generation aircraft.
Carney emphasized that all defence investments will be rooted in strengthening Canadian industry. From sourcing domestic steel and aluminum to building sovereign technology supply chains, the government is positioning defence as both a national security priority and an economic growth strategy. The plan also affirms a commitment to meeting NATO’s 2% defence spending target by 2030.
International partnerships will play a central role in the new strategy. Canada announced a new collaboration with Australia to develop Over-the-Horizon Radar technology for Arctic surveillance and committed to maintaining a year-round Armed Forces presence in the North.
As Canada prepares to lead in a new era of maritime and aerial defence, the presence of ISE at The COVE underscored a deeper truth: the ambitious future laid out in Halifax is already anchored in Canadian ingenuity—and ready to rise.
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