The Decibel Carney’s plan to expand Canada’s defence industry
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Feb 19, 2026 Pippa Norman, The Globe and Mail innovation reporter covering defence business, breaks down Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy. She outlines the strategy’s goals, key numbers and ten priority capabilities. Short takes cover ammunition and dual-use tech, how the government will spur innovation, partnership choices, timelines and what sovereignty could mean in practice.
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Strategy Not Policy
- The Defence Industrial Strategy is a blueprint to build Canadian defence capacity and signal long-term government focus.
- It differs from a defence policy and precedes a formal defence policy expected later in the year.
Big Numerical Targets
- The government aims to raise domestic procurement from 40% to 70% and increase industry revenues by over 240%.
- Targets include a 50% boost in exports and 125,000 new defence jobs.
Ten Sovereign Capabilities
- The strategy names 10 sovereign capabilities to develop, including space, sensors, ammunition, and uncrewed systems.
- Emphasis on uncrewed/autonomous systems and ammunition reflects modern warfare and supply-chain sovereignty concerns.