DEFENDS

Canada’s Defence Future

Canada must develop the research capacity, industrial capability and secure infrastructure needed to support the Canadian Armed Forces and national procurement programs. The University of Alberta is addressing this need by advancing a connected ecosystem that links universities, industry, innovators and military end users.

DEFENDS — Dual-Use Ecosystem for Future Engineering, National Defence and Sovereignty — will transform Alberta’s existing defence and aerospace assets into a coordinated, market-driven platform that supports capability development, creates jobs, generates contracts and expands Alberta’s role in Canada’s defence and dual-use economy.

WHAT IS DEFENDS?

DEFENDS connects research, industry and military users to produce real capability for Canada. The platform advances technology readiness through secure facilities, links firms to national procurement pathways and supports expansion into defence and dual-use markets.

DEFENDS operates through four pillars:

• secure testing and prototyping;
• co-location with industry and Canadian Armed Forces partners;
• procurement readiness supports;
• collaborative research and workforce programs.

These pillars enable Alberta companies to move prototypes into mission-ready systems, meet compliance requirements, and integrate into NATO and NORAD programs.

DEFENDS focuses its efforts on three domains that align with national procurement needs and existing strengths in Alberta:

The initiative positions Alberta to deliver capability for Canada and to generate economic outcomes for the province. DEFENDS strengthens Alberta’s share of national contracts, increases technology development, and contributes to long-term economic resilience.

WHY DEFENDS?

DEFENDS enables local companies to compete more effectively with their counterparts in Eastern Canada and abroad. This initiative will expand Alberta’s defence and dual-use economy by supporting:

• startups and small and medium-sized enterprises to access support and partnerships with established firms;
• original equipment manufacturers to enter the defence sector;
• Alberta firms into prime-led supply chains and national procurement programs.

The program also invests in talent development through training and placements. DEFENDS leverages existing industrial strengths in areas such as fabrication, autonomous systems and artificial intelligence and supports their expansion into defence and dual-use markets, including applications such as wildfire management.

DEFENDS provides a coordinated platform that strengthens sovereignty and delivers capability for Canada while generating long-term economic value.

Contact

For more information, please contact defence@ualberta.ca.