Canada's military deployment of counter-drone technology at key bases signals renewed commitment to protecting critical military infrastructure from evolving threats.
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The Canadian armed forces have started to set up their counter-drone systems at some of Canada’s ports and air bases as a way to defend their military infrastructures from the new types of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats that are appearing due to lessons learned from recent conflicts in Eastern Europe and Ukraine.
Canada Expands Counter-Drone Protection for Critical Infrastructure
Both the Royal Canadian Navy and the Royal Canadian Air Force have put in place their defensive capabilities at certain key sites, with Vice-Admiral Angus Topshee stating that there are currently operational systems to protect Warships while in port. Lt.-Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet told a Commons Defence Committee in January that all Canadian air bases would be getting similar infrastructure protection, as Canada is preparing to receive new advanced aircraft like F-35 fighter jets and P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Ukraine Conflict Shapes Canadian Military Drone Strategy
Following the victories of the Ukrainian armed forces over Russian naval vessels and aircraft, the need for operational UAV defence systems in Canada has increased. On May 8, 2024, Ukraine used kamikaze drones and missiles to sink the Russian Ballistic Missile Carrier Tsyklon, which was at anchor in Sevastopol. In the following months, from June 1, 2025, through July 10, 2025, Operation Spiderweb was launched. During these operations, 117 drones were launched simultaneously over five time zones to strike Russian Strategic Air Bases throughout Europe, which injured or destroyed between 30 to 41 aircraft. Many Western Militaries, including Canada, have studied how these operations and tactics work.
The Falcon Shield system, developed by Italy and Britain, is Canada's primary defense system; Canada has deployed Falcon Shield to the troops in Latvia via a multi-million-dollar urgent operational requirement contract. Phase one of the deployment cost $25 million to develop further for airbases and critical installations aimed to be deployed at the end of 2024, and phase two of deployment is underway. Falcon Shield protects the Canadian Forces from hostile drone attack through radar and high-performance camera functionality and by employing his/her jamming technology to neutralize drones.
Legal and Technological Challenges Complicate Drone Defense Efforts
Canada has also been researching a Boeing/AIM Defense Laser System that can destroy drones at significant distances through directed energy, rather than kinetic munitions. As part of the Department of National Defense’s IDEaS program, the Canadian government is investigating the use of specialized systems to counter urban drone threats targeting sensitive military and government infrastructures, such as those found in Ottawa. Significant regulatory hurdles have emerged as a result of trying to deploy these technologies.
Jamming technologies pose significant threats to civilian communications infrastructure, which could lead to cascading failures to broader areas. Shooting down drones in populated areas presents dynamic safety issues, as noted by Vice-Admiral Topshee regarding Halifax's core.
As Commander Philip Durand, Director, Naval Requirements explains, determining whether a drone flying into Halifax Harbour poses a threat or is merely the result of civilian curiosity flies are subject to legal and operational complexities. The federal government amended the Aeronautics Act in March to strengthen its authority to interdict unauthorized drones posing security risks. However, Mubin Shaikh, a former counter-terrorism operative and drone warfare expert, argues the government must move more proactively.
Business Honor is of the view that Canada's counter-drone system deployment represents a strategic shift in military infrastructure protection and operational readiness capabilities.
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