Joint drone production with Ukraine could benefit Canada – General Coates

Christopher Coates, former commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, said this in an interview with Ukrinform, commenting on the launch of a new project to manufacture Ukrainian unmanned systems in Canada.

"If the agreement forces Canadian institutions and industry to become more agile, it could be very valuable. But if it relies on traditional contracting timelines and bureaucratic processes, it may struggle to deliver what Ukraine actually needs," Coates said.

He stressed that "Canada can help with scale - with mass production - but our defense procurement system is not built for that kind of speed and responsiveness."

"Ukraine's drone effectiveness comes from a very dynamic system: rapid modification, short feedback loops, and close proximity between producers and battlefield users," the lieutenant-general said.

It emerged in May that a new project had been launched to manufacture Ukrainian unmanned systems in Canada. Under the agreement, a new joint venture, Airlogix-Sentinel, is being established between the Ukrainian defense technology company Airlogix and the Canadian unmanned systems manufacturer Sentinel Research and Development.

The project, which will be implemented with the support of the governments of both countries, is intended to accelerate the delivery of reconnaissance and operational planning equipment to Ukrainian forces.

Photo: Office of the President of Ukraine