Canada’s drones just got their own clubhouse.

Federal defence officials announced the new Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub (UxS DISH) in Mirabel, Quebec, a facility meant to fast track homegrown drone and robotics technology from prototype to battlefield ready.

The hub is being run by an Espace Aéro-led consortium of 30 companies, universities, and non-profits, backed by $29.6 million in federal funding over two years. Its job is to give Canadian innovators a secure place to design, test, and prove out uncrewed systems before they end up in the hands of the Canadian Armed Forces.

“Drones are changing the way modern militaries operate, and Canada must be ready to develop, test and adopt these technologies at speed,” Minister of National Defence David McGuinty said.

“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.”

The launch is part of BOREALIS, the government's push to build up Canada's defence industrial base and get new technology into military hands faster. Uncrewed and autonomous systems made the list of Canada's 10 priority capability areas under its defence industrial strategy, reflecting how central drones and robotics have become to modern warfare.

The Mirabel hub isn't the first of its kind. It follows a Maritime DISH pilot project and answers to the newly created Canadian Joint Forces Command, a body stood up specifically to cut through the bureaucratic tangle that has historically slowed how the military adopts new joint capabilities.

McGuinty made the announcement personally, framing it as proof that Canada can turn research into real capability without waiting on foreign suppliers. The consortium earned its spot through a competitive proposal process that ran from February to April 2026, beating out other bidders for the chance to build what officials are calling a trusted bridge between the lab and the battlefield.

“The future of warfare depends on our ability to connect emerging technologies with the world’s rapidly evolving operational realities. By bringing together the right people, systems, and expertise, we will prepare the Canadian Armed Forces to meet the challenges ahead across all domains,” said Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad, Commander Canadian Joint Forces Command.