The Canadian Armed Forces have signalled a major shift in military strategy, declaring that Robotic and Autonomous Systems are no longer a niche technology but a central component of modern land operations. The move reflects a growing global recognition that robotics, drones and autonomous platforms are reshaping how wars are fought.
In February, the Canadian Armed Forces outlined the change in an article published in The Maple Leaf, the military’s official publication. The report highlighted a new doctrine update, Note 24-04 on Robotic and Autonomous Systems, which provides operational guidance for integrating robotics into military missions. The document, accessible only to authorised personnel, includes real-world examples from current conflicts, mission planning tools and standardised procedures for deploying robotic technologies in joint operations.
The doctrine defines robotic and autonomous systems broadly, including uncrewed aerial systems, autonomous ground vehicles and underwater platforms. These technologies are designed to support every major operational function of the military, including intelligence gathering, combat operations, defence, logistics and command coordination.
Ryan Gariepy, founder of the Canadian Robotics Council, said robotics is becoming essential for nations seeking to maintain strong defence capabilities, particularly countries with smaller militaries. According to Gariepy, the rapid integration of drones and robotics in conflicts around the world shows how these technologies are transforming modern warfare.
The ongoing war in Ukraine has become a powerful example of this transformation. Drones and other robotic systems have been responsible for a significant share of battlefield strikes, proving effective for both offensive and defensive operations.
Ukraine’s technology sector, which was already strong before the war, quickly shifted toward defence innovation after Russia’s invasion. Engineers and startups began producing low-cost but highly effective drones, dramatically changing the dynamics of the battlefield.
Research conducted by Georgetown University into drone warfare tactics found that Ukraine manufactured about 2.2 million first-person-view drones in 2024, compared with roughly 600,000 in the previous year. During the same period, Ukrainian forces carried out 130 long-range operations that successfully struck 377 critical infrastructure targets inside Russia.
In March 2025, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky reported that successful strike rates increased by 22 percent in February compared to the previous month, largely due to the expanded use of these drone technologies.
Gariepy noted that other nations are rapidly studying these developments and adapting their military strategies accordingly. He explained that robotics is quickly becoming a core pillar of modern defence planning across the world.
Beyond offensive operations, robotic systems are also playing a growing role in air defence. Drone technology has already challenged advanced defence networks in regions such as the Gulf states, demonstrating how autonomous systems can disrupt even well-funded military infrastructures.
For smaller militaries like Canada’s, robotics can serve as a powerful force multiplier, allowing armed forces to extend their operational reach and flexibility without dramatically increasing troop numbers.
Canada’s latest Defence Industrial Strategy also reflects this shift. The government recently highlighted robotics and drone technologies as critical components of the country’s future defence capabilities. The strategy includes plans to establish a dedicated drone innovation hub at the National Research Council as part of a broader 900 million Canadian dollar investment aimed at advancing defence technology research.
Robotic systems have gradually evolved within the Canadian Armed Forces over the past two decades. Early experimentation began during the Afghanistan war, when Canadian troops relied heavily on allied drone platforms for surveillance and targeting.
To address the gap, the military launched the Joint Unmanned Surveillance and Target Acquisition System program. Originally introduced to build Canada’s own drone capabilities, the project was relaunched in 2012 and later renamed the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System program in 2017.
Robotics also began appearing on the ground. In 2014, the Department of National Defence signed a contract worth about 9.6 million US dollars with iRobot to supply 20 PackBot 510 CBRN reconnaissance robots. These tracked machines were equipped with chemical, radiological and explosive detection sensors, allowing military teams to investigate dangerous environments without putting personnel at risk.
Canada’s most ambitious drone project remains the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System fleet. In December 2023, the federal government approved a 2.5 billion Canadian dollar contract to acquire 11 MQ-9B drones along with ground control stations, weapons systems, infrastructure and long-term operational support.
The aircraft are being manufactured at a facility in San Diego and modified for Arctic conditions. According to the Department of National Defence, operational testing is expected to begin in 2026, with the first drone delivery scheduled for 2028, three years later than the original target due to additional modifications required for northern deployments.
Full operational capability is expected between 2030 and 2033.
When the acquisition was announced, then Minister of National Defence Bill Blair said the drone fleet would strengthen Canada’s ability to respond quickly to international deployments, domestic emergencies and defence commitments alongside allied nations.
The MQ-9B drones are expected to operate primarily from 14 Wing Greenwood in Nova Scotia and 19 Wing Comox in British Columbia. A new 6,000 square metre control facility is also being constructed in Ottawa’s Uplands district to house six drone control stations, training simulators and nearly 200 personnel, reflecting the growing scale and importance of Canada’s drone operations.
