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Calian has announced a strategic initiative that seeks to enhance Canada’s sovereign capabilities through Calian VENTURES, a “defence innovation orchestrator” supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The Canadian defence organisation said that as the nation places sovereign defence as an “increasing priority”, Calian’s technological mobilisation will allow capacity for C5ISRT (command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting) priorities to expand.
“C5ISRT is not a future concept. It is an operational requirement of today’s battlefield and for Canada to own a truly sovereign capability,” said Chris Pogue, president of defence and space at Calian.
The first initiative supported by VENTURES will see the establishment of a “sea-to-sea-to-sea network of regional development labs” that will allow for testing and validation of new defence technologies.
“Canada is facing a fundamentally different security environment and meeting the moment requires sustained investment, trusted partners and long-term commitment,” said Calian chief executive Patrick Houston.
SMEs, the Canadian Defence Force, NATO, and other industry, government, and academic partners will collaborate in these labs to see these emerging technologies progress and be widely supported.
“This investment reflects Calian’s confidence in Canada’s defence future and our responsibility as a Canadian company to help strengthen Canadian sovereignty as well as help build the Canadian defence industrial base,” Houston said.
Calian has poured in over CA$95 million to these goals, with funding primarily coming from capital investment, development of new intellectual property, and regional/federal programs.
“Through this investment, we are scaling the environments, integration pathways, and partnerships needed to turn innovation into operational capability, while ensuring Canada retains trusted, sovereign control of its defence data and systems,” said Pogue.
