Politics · Canada · 3 hrs ago
Canadian Army steps up effort to expand its use of drones
Canada’s army is working to expand its use of drones as the technology changes modern warfare.
The effort comes as drone warfare continues in Ukraine, putting pressure on the Canadian Armed Forces to adopt the technology faster.
The Minerva program is seeking drones for several roles, including Arctic surveillance, cargo supply runs and spotting targets for artillery.
Rather than placing a standard order, the program invites companies to build prototypes for specific uses, which army personnel will test.
Aerial targeting drones could reduce risks to soldiers by spotting targets without sending a person into the field.
The program also aims to help build Canada’s drone industry and make the equipment easier to integrate into military units.
The army expects to finish a new drone wish-list in three to four months, while prototype testing is expected to continue until roughly next summer or fall.
The Canadian Army is accelerating efforts to expand its use of drones as the technology changes modern warfare.
Its Minerva program has issued tenders for drones for surveillance, cargo supply and other military uses.
The program uses industry challenges to develop and test prototypes rather than relying on a typical procurement process.
The Army is seeking equipment that meets current needs and can support Canada’s domestic drone industry.
The Army expects to complete a new list of drones for design and purchase within three to four months.
- Who
- The Canadian Army and the Canadian Armed Forces’ Minerva drone program.
- What
- The Army is moving to expand its use of drones and acquire and test new systems.
- When
- The Minerva initiative launched roughly a year before the article was published on October 14, 2026.
- Where
- Canada.
- Why
- To meet military needs as drone technology changes warfare, reduce risks to personnel and build up Canada’s domestic drone industry.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Minerva initiative launched to scale up drone use in the Army.
The Minerva program issued tenders for a range of new drones.
Army personnel are expected to test the prototypes.
The Army expects to complete a new wish-list of drones for design and purchase.
- Program
- Minerva
- Arctic aerial drone challenge
- 15 months; maximum funding award of $500,000
- New drone wish-list
- Expected within three to four months
- Targeting drone
- A low-cost aerial spotter sought by the Army
- Breaching drone
- Sought for dealing with ground-based obstacles such as mines
2 sources
What people are saying
The army is really good at adapting and evolving
We are figuring out what ‘right’ looks like
The reduction of risk to our personnel is significant
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