The federal government has launched the Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH) in Mirabel, Quebec.
The hub, which will test drone technologies, is set to receive CAD $29.6 million over two years. It will be operated by an Espace Aéro-led consortium of 30 organisations from industry, academia and the not-for-profit sector.
The initiative focuses on uncrewed and autonomous systems, which are among Ottawa's 10 sovereign capability priorities under the Defence Industrial Strategy. The secure hub is intended to help move Canadian technologies from research and development into field-ready use for the Canadian Armed Forces.
Officials said the site will provide a controlled setting for government, companies, researchers and innovators to work together on design, testing, validation and integration. The work plan covers uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems, automation and human-machine teaming, operations in contested environments, and sensor integration.
The Canadian Joint Forces Command is sponsoring the hub. The command was created to address gaps in how joint military functions are generated, developed, managed and sustained across land, sea, air, cyber and space.
"Drones are changing the way modern militaries operate, and Canada must be ready to develop, test and adopt these technologies at speed. This new Defence Innovation Secure Hub will bring government, Canadian industry, academia, the not-for-profit sector, and the Canadian Armed Forces together in a secure environment to turn promising Made in Canada ideas into mission-ready capabilities that support Canada's defence priorities," David McGuinty, Canada's Minister of National Defence said in a statement.
Locating the facility in Mirabel, Quebec, places it at the centre of the province's aerospace cluster, according to the government. Espace Aéro and Aéro Montréal said the project will draw on the province's existing industrial base and research network.
Bernard Drainville, Quebec's Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, also described the investment as a boost for the province's industrial base.
"We have everything we need to become a key player in defence and security: world-class companies, outstanding researchers, and highly skilled workers whose expertise and know-how are recognized around the world. This project will help us drive innovation, develop the technologies of tomorrow here at home, and create even more opportunities for our businesses, our workers, and our regions," Drainville said.
Federal officials said the project builds on the earlier Maritime DISH pilot and is intended to address a persistent gap in the defence innovation system, where smaller innovators often struggle to engage with defence organisations and handle sensitive work.
Funding will cover security upgrades, infrastructure and collaborative activities needed for defence research. That reflects the central premise of the DISH model: creating trusted environments where government users and outside partners can work on sensitive technologies without relying solely on traditional procurement channels.