‘Warmest welcome’ at Manitoba, U.K. defence partnership summit

Manitoba, Canada has welcomed its first partnership summit with the United Kingdom focused on defense collaborations, describing the event as a "warmest welcome" they have ever experienced, according to the British delegation. The Manitoba-Canada Defence Alliance launched in September, uniting private sector, post-secondary institutions, industry associations, government entities, and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The alliance's purpose is to attract defense spending to Manitoba and foster relationships between the two countries.

The summit brought together 15 U.K. companies and over 45 Manitoba organizations, including government and military representatives. The British entrepreneurs Carole and Tim Champion, owners of Needles and Pins Aerospace, a UK-based company specializing in aircraft coverings and interior fabrics, expressed interest in partnering with local U.K. businesses in Winnipeg.

The Manitoba-Canada Defence Alliance aims to create working groups with participants from both Manitoba and the U.K. to promote relationships and future collaborations. One such group, Tea and Textiles, will focus on textile firms. The summit also discussed potential opportunities in counter-drone technology, which could be adapted for use in Canada, given the region's critical national infrastructure.

Elliott Murphy, a representative of ADS Group, noted the ease of doing business with Canada compared to Europe due to language and cultural similarities. The U.K. delegation received presentations from local businesses, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, and officials from CFB Shilo and the Royal Canadian Air Force, including CFB Winnipeg's 17 Wing. They also enjoyed a visit to the Assiniboine Park Zoo and the Royal Canadian Aviation Museum of Western Canada.