Countering drones is ‘critical’ as warfare evolves, Canada’s military says

The Department of National Defence (DND) is taking "critical" measures to counter the growing threat of unauthorized drone activity, according to a statement by a DND spokesperson. This comes as drone technology continues to evolve and become more widely available. The department is pursuing procurement activities to enhance its approach to countering drone threats, building upon existing measures.

Laura McIntyre-Grills, a DND spokesperson, emphasized that as drone capabilities advance, "defence and security organizations are examining how best to address the risks." The statement highlighted that these counter-drone capabilities are a critical consideration in modern security and defence planning. The Canadian military's involvement in NATO's deployment in Latvia, aimed at deterring Russian aggression, has given military leaders firsthand experience with the evolving nature of drone warfare in Ukraine.

Recent data from Reuters indicates that drone-related casualties in the Ukrainian conflict have surged from 10% in 2022 to nearly 80% in 2025. As a result, military operations in the region have become increasingly dangerous due to the prevalence of unmanned aerial vehicles. Both Ukraine and Russia utilize drones to strike at enemy territories.

In response to these developments, the Canadian military initiated the Drone Defence Initiative (DDI) in a multi-year research and procurement project aimed at boosting Canada's drone capabilities. The project seeks to accelerate research, development, adaptation, and production of drones for use by both the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard.

However, due to operational security reasons, the department will not disclose specific details of the procurement process, and some aspects of the initiative will be subject to national security exceptions and remain confidential.