VIDEO: Medicine Hat defence events highlight regional research and industry growth

He said five companies in the region are already working in the drone and defence sector, with opportunities to grow as investment increases.

Southeastern Alberta’s assets include CFB Suffield, the Suffield Research Centre at Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), and the Foremost Uncrewed Aerial Systems Test Range.

Hugh Atwell, centre director of the Suffield Research Centre, said the site has been involved in drone-related research and development for more than 40 years, often in collaboration with industry partners.

He said drone technology is advancing rapidly as militaries adapt to developments in Ukraine and other conflicts, increasing the need for collaboration between researchers, industry and academia.

“For that reason, we see a concentration of very highly developed industries in the drone sector within this cluster of Southern Alberta,” Atwell said.

“And it’s something that I think really enables Medicine Hat, Suffield and Southeast Alberta to stake out that claim to being the drone capital of Canada.”

Atwell also discussed plans for a new Chemical and Biological Laboratory and Blast Assessment Centre at CFB Suffield, backed by $750 million in federal funding as part of about $8 billion in defence investments across Alberta.

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READ: Canadian Forces Base Suffield included in $8B Alberta defence investment

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The combined facility is intended to bring several chemical and biological defence capabilities together in one building. Atwell said the project is in the design phase, to have it operational around 2032.

A presentation by the project team outlined a planned construction start in October 2027, with work and commissioning extending into early 2032, subject to final reviews and approvals.

The project is expected to require up to 500 craft workers on site over a period of a couple of years, while also creating opportunities for local suppliers, accommodation providers and other businesses.

Lt.-Col. Mike Onieu, CFB Suffield’s Futures Project officer, said increased investment could help the region’s existing defence industry expand.

“There’s no reason why this couldn’t be the drone city,” Onieu said.

“We’re doing work that is as important, if not more important, than the work happening in other regions of the province and the country.”

Onieu said the increased investment represents a significant opportunity for southeastern Alberta.

“It’s significant for Southeast Alberta because we already had a nascent defence industry, a small one here, but a very vibrant one, and the increased investment is going to help it to grow,” he said.

Onieu also described the planned infrastructure expansion at the Suffield Research Centre as a major development for the region.

“The infrastructure being built for Suffield Research Centre is going to be world-class, probably be unique on the globe, and it’s going to be an incredible facility,” he said.

Dylan Richards, chief financial officer of Landing Zones Canada Inc., said Canada’s growing defence spending presents an opportunity for local companies.

“We are seeing a generational spend in the defence sector,” Richards said.

“And it’s our job now to make sure that we capture that. And we bring as much of that as to this community, when it comes to jobs.”

The tradeshow connected businesses with organizations that can help them enter or expand in the defence supply chain.

The forum featured discussions on defence research, procurement, aerospace innovation, and workforce development.

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(Video Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

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The events were organized by Community Futures Entre-Corp and APEX Regional Innovation Network.

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READ: Medicine Hat defence forum and tradeshow to explore opportunities in SE Alberta

by Jett Schwaier

VIDEO: Medicine Hat defence events highlight regional research and industry growth

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