Canada reinforces Navy with drones for tracking and targeting

   

The Canadian military plans to allocate up to $ 100 million to equip the largest ships of the Navy with new unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of conducting long-range surveillance and targeting in the maritime zone. This was announced by a representative of the Ministry of National Defense of the country. It is expected that the federal government will conclude a contract for the supply of up to 12 naval UAVs by the end of 2025, and the first vehicles will enter service within 12 months after signing the agreement.

Strategic strengthening of the fleet  

The move is part of a massive modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces, which includes upgrading Arctic Patrol Ships (AOPS) and expanding maritime reconnaissance capabilities. The new UAVs will be able to operate in the difficult conditions of the North Atlantic and the Arctic, where Canada is seeking to strengthen its presence amid growing geopolitical tensions. As noted earlier, existing AOPS are equipped with only 25 mm cannons, which makes them vulnerable to modern threats. Drones will also improve the effectiveness of tracking underwater and surface targets, as well as coordinating strikes.

Historical context and challenges  

For Canada, this is not the first experience of large purchases of UAVs. Earlier, in 2023, the country allocated $2.49 billion to purchase 11 MQ-9B Reaper drones from General Atomics, designed for reconnaissance and strike operations. However, the operation of such systems in the Arctic is associated with technical difficulties, such as low temperatures and poor communication, which has already raised concerns among military experts. The new ship-based UAVs are likely to be adapted to work in extreme conditions, but the details of the contract have not yet been disclosed.

 Global trends and costs  

Since 2014, Canada has consistently increased military spending: since 2014, over 273 million Canadian dollars (about $200 million) have been spent on unmanned technologies alone, and in 2025, an additional 440 million dollars have been allocated to support the Ukrainian military, including the production of drones. The current initiative highlights the priority of automation and high-tech solutions in the country's defense strategy. As of 2013, the Canadian Air Force had only 9 UAVs, but the new contract could increase this fleet by strengthening both the naval and air components of the army.