Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem is getting another boost, as Lockheed Martin Canada commits $3.6 million to Ottawa-based artificial intelligence firm Lemay.ai—marking a strategic move to accelerate advanced R&D across the aerospace and defence sectors.

Announced March 31, the investment launches a collaborative effort focused on integrating cutting-edge AI into some of the most complex and mission-critical areas of defence operations. From predictive maintenance for airframe structures and turbine analytics to supply chain optimization and navigation in GNSS-denied environments, the initiative reflects a growing emphasis on data-driven capability development.

At its core, the partnership is also tackling one of the most strategically important frontiers in modern defence: sovereign knowledge management. As nations look to secure and control their data ecosystems, the ability to develop and deploy domestic AI solutions is becoming a defining capability.

“This partnership with Lemay.ai shows how defence investments, paired with the Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy, can strengthen national security while also driving economic growth at home. By leveraging this policy, Canadian companies can scale up, innovate, and create well-paying jobs, securing long term economic growth across the country,” said the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions.

The collaboration extends beyond Canada’s borders, incorporating the Czech Aerospace Research Centre, a recognized leader in aerospace R&D. Together, the partners aim to reinforce allied defence industrial bases while advancing shared technological capabilities.

The investment itself is enabled through Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) policy, fulfilling Lockheed Martin Canada’s economic impact commitments tied to the acquisition and in-service support of the CC-130J Super Hercules fleet. In doing so, it highlights how procurement frameworks can be leveraged not only to deliver platforms, but to catalyze domestic innovation ecosystems.

“With over 85 years of presence and partnership in Canada, we are dedicated to growing and strengthening a sovereign Canadian defence industry that drives meaningful economic impact,” said Kristen Leroux, vice president and regional executive for Canada and Latin America at Lockheed Martin. “This investment in Lemay.ai achieves these goals, championing the development of a Canadian small-to-medium enterprise and delivering cutting-edge solutions to the aerospace and defence industry.”

For Lemay.ai, the partnership represents both validation and opportunity—accelerating its work in AI-driven solutions tailored to defence applications while expanding its role within Canada’s broader innovation landscape.

“We’re honoured to receive this significant ITB investment from Lockheed Martin Canada to advance our research in artificial intelligence,” said Mathieu Lemay, CEO of Lemay.ai. “This partnership underscores Lockheed Martin Canada’s confidence in our team’s ability to deliver innovative AI solutions that enhance mission capabilities across the defence sector.”

Beyond the immediate R&D outcomes, the initiative is expected to contribute to workforce development across multiple disciplines, including instructional design, technology development, and business operations. New jobs, internships, and apprenticeships will help build the talent base needed to sustain Canada’s growing AI and defence sectors.

As defence programs increasingly intersect with digital technologies, investments like this signal a broader shift—where capability is not only built through platforms, but through the intelligent systems that power them.