Preserving capacity, General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, Keys to Canadian SAR
Issue link: http://vanguardcanada.uberflip.com/i/1542258
8 DECEMBER 2025/JANUARY 2026 www.vanguardcanada.com S SIT REP Mapping the Future of Airspace Security: Inside DND's Urban Drone Detection Trials As drones become cheaper, smarter, and more accessible, Canada's security landscape is shifting fast. The Department of National Defence (DND) responded to that reality in late No- vember with a major milestone: the successful completion of downtown Ottawa drone-detection trials designed to test how emerging counter-uncrewed aircraft system (CUAS) technolo- gies perform in the dense, unpredictable pulse of a busy capital city. From November 24 to 28, Parliament Hill and its surround- ing streets became a controlled testbed for one of the most complex CUAS demonstrations ever conducted in an urban Ca- nadian environment. It was a setting chosen deliberately. Urban terrain poses unique detection challenges—radio interference, vertical towers, unpredictable traffic patterns, and large crowds. For defence scientists and operators working to safeguard criti- cal government precincts, it is arguably the toughest environ- ment in which to evaluate CUAS performance. The trials were conducted under the banner of DND's Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program, which continues to position Canada as a leader in rapid defence innovation. Over the course of the week, the event brought together a diverse coalition: innovators and defence technology developers, Cana- dian Armed Forces personnel, defence scientists, law-enforce- ment agencies, and municipal partners. Urban terrain is the ultimate proving ground for next-generation drone detection technologies. Image source: https://x.com/Nation- alDefence/status/1995901200651182516 Since its establishment in 1986, Rheinmetall Canada has grown to be a leading global defence and security company providing advanced solutions to militaries around the world. The year 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of its doors opening in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Its successes over the years have made the Canadian company renowned for its expertise in the design and integration of C4I solutions, ve- hicle systems and weapon systems and is the Canadian leader in au- tonomous ground systems. Having completed contracts for clients in North America, Europe, and Asia, the brand is trusted around the globe by both governments and commercial customers alike. Though its international recognition is held in high regard, Rhein- metall Canada's focus has always been at home: boasting a supply chain of over 900 companies from coast-to-coast, Rheinmetall has spent the last 40 years quietly harnessing the highest calibre of Canadian exper- tise to deliver more than 20 programs to the Canadian Armed Forces, resulting in over CAD 1.5 billion in industrial benefits. Rheinmetall Canada has always been a strong advocate for research and development for the defence sector and dual-use purposes. For more than six years, its primary goal has been fostering Canadian innovation and field-testing autonomous ground solutions in real- world applications. As countries around the world turn their focus to next-generation applications of autonomous solutions, Rheinmetall Canada stands to be the biggest player on the market while maintaining the benefits at home. A partnership with Rheinmetall is a commitment to modern- ize our forces, create Canadian jobs, grow exports, and strengthen sovereignty – and this with a Canadian-born and Canadian-devel- oped solution. CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF CANADIAN GROWTH AND INNOVATION Pietro Mazzei is the President and CEO of Rheinmetall Canada Inc.