Calian Group has unveiled a significant initiative aimed at enhancing Canada’s defense capabilities, particularly in the realm of sovereign Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (C5ISRT). This effort, driven by Calian Ventures, has launched with an initial funding of $100 million and seeks to address urgent defense needs, notably Arctic sovereignty, national security, and the modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces.
The initiative is designed to foster direct investment and co-development of innovative technologies in collaboration with Canadian small and mid-sized enterprises. It also looks to leverage contributions from regional investors and federal programs to bolster its objectives.
A pivotal element of this plan will be the establishment of a national network of regional development labs. These facilities are intended for testing, validating, and scaling defense technologies that are being developed through Ventures. Participation in these labs is expected to include not only the Canadian Armed Forces but also NATO partners, federal and provincial agencies, academia, and the private sector. The overarching goal of these labs is to facilitate a faster transition from conceptual stages to operational capabilities.
Patrick Houston, the CEO of Calian, emphasized the necessity of such an investment in light of Canada’s evolving security landscape. “Canada is facing a fundamentally different security environment, and meeting the moment requires sustained investment, trusted partners, and long-term commitment,” he stated. Houston underscored that this investment reflects Calian’s commitment to the future of Canadian defense and its role in reinforcing Canadian sovereignty and developing the domestic defense industrial framework.
The technologies underpinning Calian’s C5ISRT initiative aim to enable integrated multi-domain defense operations. The focus is on creating connections between various platforms and networks across land, maritime, air, space, and cyber domains, allowing for the integration of sensor and communication data into a cohesive operational picture.
Notably, Calian’s systems are designed to function effectively in both electromagnetic and cyber-contested environments. They utilize human-machine collaboration to enhance decision-making processes, ensuring readiness through interconnected training ecosystems. Moreover, the C5ISRT framework integrates live, virtual, and constructive training environments with actual operational systems, enabling forces to train in realistic conditions. This approach allows military units to rehearse complex joint and coalition scenarios and to assess operational readiness using data-driven analytics, offering a more cost-effective alternative to traditional live exercises.
