Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) is investing over $900 million in a long-term initiative to establish a drone research center and procure a Canadian-manufactured Bombardier Global 6500 to support defense research. The funding is part of the recently enacted Defence Industrial Strategy. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly emphasized the importance of domestic innovation for Canada’s security during the announcement in Ottawa. Joly stated that the initiative aims to enhance sovereign capabilities and assist Canadian firms in advancing next-generation aerospace, drone, quantum, and biomedical technologies.
Defence Minister David McGuinty and Stephen Fuhr, the secretary of state for defense procurement, were present at the announcement. Fuhr highlighted the NRC’s longstanding reputation for top-tier research and expressed the commitment to developing cutting-edge drone technology with applications in both military and civilian sectors.
The investment and research efforts are intended to bolster Canada’s industrial base and expedite the deployment of new capabilities to the military. The Bombardier Global 6500 aircraft will be manufactured at Bombardier’s facilities in Mississauga, Ont., and Dorval, Que., with contributions from over 65 Canadian suppliers. This purchase follows a previous agreement where the federal government committed to acquiring six Global 6500 jets from Bombardier to replace the aging Challenger fleet, a contract valued at over $753 million, encompassing production, crew training, maintenance, and required military modifications.
The replacement fleet, assembled in Canada, is scheduled for delivery by the summer of 2027. The Challenger jets, currently utilized for transporting government officials and military medical evacuations, will be phased out. Joly noted that the acquisition of the Global 6500 for defense technological development is in addition to the December order for replacement jets.
