Overview

• National Defence is studying uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft designed to fly alongside Canada’s incoming F-35 jets.
• Internal unclassified analysis suggests fielding such drones could cost up to $16 billion and require hundreds of additional staff.
• The research phase does not guarantee any purchase and defers final procurement decisions until the completion of the F-35 review by late summer.
• Officials have ruled out a fully domestic drone build and are exploring allied development partnerships with programs like Boeing’s MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” and General Atomics’ YFQ-42.
• This study supports the 2024 “Our North, Strong and Free” policy mandate to broaden Canada’s drone and counter-drone capabilities.