This week in Ottawa, CANSEC 2026 is bringing together the biggest players in Canadian defence and security. With record attendance expected of nearly 20,000 participants, up 20% to 40% from last year, the event reflects a major shift in federal priorities.
The message is clear: Canada is investing heavily in its military capacity, and it is counting on its national industry to deliver.
A Contract That Illustrates the Vision
The most significant announcement of the week came directly from Prime Minister Carney: Canada is entering exclusive negotiations with Swedish manufacturer Saab for the acquisition of six GlobalEye surveillance aircraft. What stands out most for Canadian manufacturing: one third of global production of these aircraft will be manufactured in Canada over the next 15 years.
The GlobalEye system is built on a Bombardier business jet, and Bombardier welcomed a decision that favours a made-in-Canada solution. It's a concrete example of what the new Defence Industrial Strategy aims to accomplish: bring production home, strengthen local supply chains, and ensure major contracts generate real economic benefits here.
And this is just the beginning. Other major decisions are expected before year-end: the submarine contract should be announced by the end of June, and the fighter jet fleet renewal decision is also progressing.
What This Means for Manufacturing SMEs
Minister Lightbound was clear during his CANSEC appearance: the priority is no longer just investment — it's execution. Shorter procurement timelines, more robust supply chains, and a Canadian industrial sector capable of being a cornerstone, not just a participant.
The Defence Industrial Strategy foresees more than $5.1 billion in additional annual revenues for Canadian SMEs and the potential creation of 125,000 jobs. The stated goal: 70% of defence contracts awarded to Canadian companies within the next decade. Today, 75% of these purchases go to the United States.
For Quebec and Canadian manufacturers active in aerospace, robotics, precision manufacturing, maritime systems and digital technologies, a concrete window of opportunity is opening.
Visibility: The First Step Toward Major Contracts
What CANSEC confirms this year connects directly to what we observed with the submarine file earlier this month: prime contractors, whether Canadian or foreign, are actively seeking qualified national suppliers. The challenge is often visibility. The right companies exist. They aren't always findable at the right moment.
Being well-documented in the right network is often the first step toward appearing on the radar for major contracts. That's what CVDM works to facilitate, so that Canadian manufacturers are ready when the opportunities arrive.
Want to position your company in our directory? We'd love to talk.
Sources: Radio-Canada, Le Devoir, Public Services and Procurement Canada, National Research Council Canada, May 27, 2026
Photo credit: Radio-Canada / Maxence Bahaban
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