Canada Defence Strategy Strengthens National Security and Economy

In a very big week news wise, the Defence Industrial Strategy was a big headline. It's been anticipated and is a critical piece of the policy puzzle on how Canada will activate its defence spending. Some things won't change - Defence procurement (globally) is hard and often unable to meet the timelines for spending and execution. Canada is not alone, but our consensus driven procurement approach (multi-agency) and industrial economic benefits have historically put pressure on defence buyers far beyond defining complex military requirements. Canada's level of ambition and timelines are admirable. Now we need speed. TECHNATION will be pleased to work with the Government of Canada on the policy. Some early suggestions and solutions we can offer include: 1. Further prioritize the 10 key capabilities into areas of “natural ownership” where Canada has a competitive advantage and potential for exports. Determine where Canada can deliver at the pace, scale, and level of investment (within industry) that is needed to declare success. Demand signaling will be key, and industry needs to be consulted meaningfully.   2. Move at the “speed of relevance”. Define clearly around military requirements, first. Consider interoperability and interchangeability with partners and allies to generate both speed long term effectiveness.    3. Develop radical transparency on cost - Purchasing is designed to get the best combination of technical and price merit. Leverage AI and technical solutions to perform category management and reporting, so DND knows know what we are buying, when we are buying it, and from whom. Perform cost teardowns and leverage technology to build world class capability in procurement. We recognize there are no silver bullets and this will still be hard. The first step - ambition - is the right one.

I hope the GoC and the Prov’s will follow through with the enablement that is necessary to bring this vision into reality. Compliance for domestic and export markets as well as secure virtual/physical workspaces, security clearances, CGP, ITARs etc etc. 123 Cyber Inc. is building an ecosystem of partnerships and collaborations to support these and more activities. We need GoC comprehension and support to scale and accelerate!!! Primes and Tier-1s also have a huge role, and ITBs, to play in this space!!! Craig McClelland Elliot Hewitt Colin Deacon 🇨🇦🇺🇦 Rebecca P. Stephen Fuhr PC MP CD Victor Fedeli Caleb Walker Al Meinzinger Andrew Bernardo Mike C. Kimberley Brady-Vause (nee Brady) MCIPS Craig (Casper) Donovan #DefenceReady

Jenna Sudds P.C., M.P. - it would be powerful to estimate the actual tonnage of strategic minerals and metals required to deliver on this Defence Industrial Strategy. Aerospace, ammunition, autonomous systems, AI infrastructure, secure cloud, quantum, advanced manufacturing — all of these depend on minerals: nickel, copper, cobalt, lithium, graphite, rare earth elements, titanium, aluminum, platinum group metals and more. If we are targeting $81.8B in reinvestment and 125,000 new jobs, what does that translate to in tonnes of domestically sourced inputs? A sovereign defence strategy must be underpinned by a sovereign mineral supply chain. This is where Canada’s mining and innovation ecosystem becomes foundational to national security. #mining #innovation #metals #defence

Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy identifies quantum technology as a strategic sector requiring sovereign control, accelerated commercialization and integration into national defense priorities. The plan establishes mechanisms such as BOREALIS, secure innovation hubs and targeted funding streams to connect university research, small and mid-sized firms and military procurement pipelines. The strategy also links quantum development to supply chain security, export controls and allied partnerships, signaling tighter protection of sensitive technologies alongside expanded defense market access. https://lnkd.in/eyKCgC9C

Key Strategic Lessons from Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy — What It Means for Europe and Hungary Canada has launched its first comprehensive Defence Industrial Strategy, titled Security, Sovereignty and Prosperity, marking a strategic shift in how it connects defence capability, industrial policy and economic resilience. The core priorities are clear: ✔ Protecting Sovereignty – reducing dependency on external suppliers and strengthening domestic defence production capacity. ✔ Building Prosperity – linking defence investments with industrial growth, innovation and export potential. ✔ Strategic Autonomy with Allied Cooperation – enhancing independent capability while remaining deeply integrated with trusted partners. The strategy recognises that defence is no longer only about procurement — it is about securing supply chains, safeguarding critical technologies, investing in dual-use innovation, and ensuring long-term industrial sustainability. What are the lessons for Europe — and particularly for Hungary? ✔ Industrial resilience is national security. ✔ Sovereign capability reduces strategic vulnerability. ✔ Dual-use technologies (AI, cyber, space, quantum) are growth multipliers. ✔ Strategic autonomy must be compatible with NATO and EU frameworks. ✔ Defence policy and economic policy are increasingly inseparable. For Hungary and the wider European defence ecosystem, this approach reinforces an ongoing shift: building credible military capability requires a strong, innovation-driven, export-capable domestic industrial base aligned with European cooperation mechanisms. Security, sovereignty and prosperity are no longer parallel agendas — they are converging. #DefenceIndustry,#StrategicAutonomy, #SecurityAndProsperity, #EuropeanDefence, #HungarianDefence, #DualUse, #CyberSecurity, #SpaceSecurity, #DefenceInnovation, #Resilience

Today, Amprius announced our new partnership with Nanotech Energy!🔋 This partnership aligns directly with the recently updated National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), enabling us to scale manufacturing of our industry-leading silicon-anode batteries while supporting national security programs that demand both superior performance and a trusted U.S. supply chain. Together with Nanotech Energy's U.S.-based manufacturing, we're able to secure our domestic production pathway and strengthen Amprius' ability to serve the defense, aerospace, and other mission-critical markets. This valuable partnership is further validated by Amprius customers like L3Harris Technologies, which delivers end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains in the interest of national security. ⬇️Learn more about what this means for us in the announcement linked below! https://lnkd.in/gh8RnEgH

This is what we've been working toward: cells manufactured in the U.S., packs built in the U.S. 🇺🇸 Proud to be part of this supply chain with Amprius and deliver truly domestic solutions through Upgrade Energy.

Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy transforms how the country approaches defence procurement, industrial development and national sovereignty. The roll-out of this multi-year strategy will create exciting new funding opportunities for Canadian defence and aerospace companies and businesses interested in diversifying and supporting this sector. The strategy features four major funding and support streams: Direct funding, Access to capital, Government procurement, and Industrial and Technological Benefits. The Canada Defence Industrial Strategy builds on the 2025 federal budget’s unprecedented $81.8 billion in increased defence spending, with $6.6 billion dedicated specifically to this new strategy. It’s clear that the federal government is serious about building its defence industry in Canada. Companies looking to grow in this sector should consider how their business could benefit by accessing these resources. Funding will be made available through Business Development Canada ($4 billion), the Regional Defence Investment Initiative ($357.7 million), IRAP’s Defence Industry Assist ($244 million), BOREALIS ($68.2 million) and the Drone Innovation Hub: ($565 million). For more information: https://lnkd.in/gsrRxR6i

Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy is a significant step in strengthening sovereign capability and domestic industry. With $6.6B dedicated to this strategy, the opportunity for Canadian businesses is substantial.

The scale of opportunity under Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy is significant. From direct funding to procurement and industrial and technological benefits, businesses should be assessing how they can participate in this next phase of defence and aerospace growth.