Low Cost Drones and Canada’s Defence Future

Drones are no longer a future defence topic. They are already changing how militaries, police services, emergency teams, and public safety organizations think about awareness, response, and readiness.

In Ukraine, low cost drones have become a regular part of modern conflict. They are used for observation, mapping, situational awareness, logistics support, and other operational needs. The lesson for Canada is clear. Drone capability is not only about expensive aircraft or large defence programs. It is also about trained operators, fast testing, scalable systems, and the ability to adapt quickly.

That matters for Canadian organizations like the Canadian Armed Forces, the Department of National Defence, Defence Research and Development Canada, the IDEaS program, and the RCMP. These organizations are not just looking at drones as aircraft. They are looking at drones as part of a larger defence and public safety picture.

Canada has already identified drones and counter drone capability as a defence priority. In Our North, Strong and Free, the Government of Canada stated that it will explore options for surveillance drones, strike drones, and counter drone capabilities.

Why low cost drones matter

One of the biggest lessons from Ukraine is that smaller, lower cost drones can have an outsized impact when they are used at scale. They can be deployed quickly, adapted for different needs, and replaced more easily than traditional aviation assets.

For Canada, this creates both an opportunity and a challenge.

The opportunity is that Canadian companies, operators, engineers, and trainers can help build capability faster. The challenge is that drones also create new risks. Public safety and defence organizations need to understand how drones behave in real environments, how they are detected, how they are tracked, and how operators can be trained to use them safely and effectively.

This is exactly why programs like IDEaS matter. The 2026 Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox is focused on detecting and defeating micro and mini UAS, with feedback from CAF, RCMP, United States government counter UAS experts, and science experts.

Canada is testing this in real environments

In 2025, First Class Drones supported one of the most complex urban drone operations in Canada through the IDEaS Counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems Sandbox in Ottawa.

This was not a simple test in an empty field. It was downtown Ottawa, with active streets, buildings, weather, restricted airspace, and multiple operational constraints. First Class Drones acted as the Red Team, providing the aircraft, pilots, infrastructure, airspace coordination, and operational execution needed to test drone detection systems against realistic airborne targets.

That type of work is important because drone systems need to be tested against real world behaviour. A drone flying through an urban corridor, below rooftops, around infrastructure, or across multiple sites creates a very different challenge than a drone flying in a controlled open area. Check out our detailed blog all about the operation here.

For defence and public safety teams, realistic testing helps close the gap between theory and operations.

The role of civilian drone operators

Civilian drone operators can play a meaningful role in helping Canadian defence and public safety organizations, but the role has to be responsible, compliant, and professional.

For most civilian operators, supporting the military does not mean combat operations. It means providing useful capability in areas such as training support, realistic flight profiles, equipment testing, inspection, mapping, emergency response, documentation, and operational planning.

A strong civilian operator brings more than flight time. They bring Transport Canada compliance, risk assessments, standard operating procedures, safety coordination, airspace planning, maintenance discipline, and the ability to operate in complex environments.

That is what separates a hobby pilot from a professional RPAS operator.

Where CAF, DND, DRDC, IDEaS, and RCMP are focused

Canadian defence and public safety organizations are looking at drones from several angles.

CAF and DND are focused on operational readiness, surveillance, force protection, and counter drone capability. DRDC supports research, testing, and science based evaluation. IDEaS gives innovators a way to test new defence and security technologies in structured environments.

The RCMP is also part of Canada’s broader drone and major event security picture. Its 2026 to 2027 Departmental Plan identifies support for major events, including the FIFA World Cup 2026, and notes that the RCMP will support federal essential services for FIFA with domestic and international partners.

The RCMP also uses RPAS to capture images and video in support of its law enforcement and public safety mandate. This includes work connected to public safety operations where aerial awareness can support decision making, documentation, and response.

The FIFA World Cup in Toronto is a strong example of why drone security matters at major events. Transport Canada and NAV CANADA established restricted airspace around FIFA sites in Toronto and Vancouver, including drone restrictions around stadiums, fan sites, and training locations.

In Toronto, police have been actively monitoring restricted airspace around FIFA designated sites. Toronto Police reported that drones were prohibited in and around Rogers Centre during major events and that specialized drone detection technology was being used to identify and intercept drones. Public reporting during FIFA also stated that Toronto Police had intercepted more than a dozen unauthorized drones around FIFA sites, with officers using specialized detection technology around FIFA designated areas.

Together, this shows that drone security is no longer theoretical. It is already part of how Canada protects major events, crowded public spaces, critical infrastructure, and international gatherings.

Why Canadian industry matters

Canada cannot rely only on large defence procurement cycles to keep up with drone technology. The technology moves too quickly.

This is why Canadian industry has an important role to play. Companies that can test, train, adapt, manufacture, document, and operate safely can help close the gap between emerging technology and operational use.

The IDEaS Drone Surge challenge is a clear example. DND and CAF are seeking Canadian made, low cost, attritable UAS solutions that can improve readiness, strengthen interoperability, and support Canada’s domestic industrial base.

That language matters. It shows that Canada is thinking not only about the drone itself, but also about scale, cost, production, and readiness.

Lessons from Ukraine for Canada

Ukraine has shown that drone operations depend on more than the aircraft. They depend on trained people, fast iteration, field feedback, repair capacity, supply chains, and the ability to learn quickly.

Canada is already connecting its drone priorities with lessons from Ukraine. In 2026, Canada and Ukraine signed an arrangement on drone production focused on drones, counter drone capabilities, electronic warfare, and cooperation between Canadian and Ukrainian industry.

For Canadian drone companies, the takeaway is simple. The future of drones in defence will reward teams that are practical, safe, adaptable, and able to operate under real constraints.

What makes a civilian drone partner valuable

A good civilian drone partner for defence or public safety work should understand the aircraft, but also the environment around the aircraft.

That includes controlled airspace, privacy, site safety, radio coordination, emergency procedures, documentation, crew roles, payload operation, and post flight reporting. It also includes the ability to work with government stakeholders, follow direction, and operate within strict boundaries.

In sensitive work, professionalism matters as much as technical skill.

Final thoughts

Drones are becoming a core part of Canada’s defence and public safety future. The conversation is no longer about whether drones matter. It is about how Canada can build the right capability, test it properly, train operators responsibly, and protect people and infrastructure from emerging drone threats.

First Class Drones has seen this shift first hand through real world urban testing, complex airspace coordination, and support for Canadian defence innovation.

As CAF, DND, DRDC, IDEaS, and RCMP continue to develop drone and counter drone capability, Canadian civilian operators have an important role to play. The best contribution is not hype. It is disciplined flying, safe operations, strong planning, and practical experience in the environments where these systems actually need to work.

Contact us to discuss your next super complex drone operation!

misha@firstclassdrones.ca

This blog was written by:

Misha Herschorn

Owner and Head Pilot at First Class Drones

Linkedin Profile Here

Bio:

Since 2016, Misha has been operating drones professionally, delivering drone services for large television productions, residential and commercial developments, energy and utilities and many more! His work combines technical precision with a strong creative eye, always prioritizing safety, legality, and quality.

Misha has extensive experience in aerial cinematography, drone mapping and custom drone design helping First Class Drones delivers professional results tailored to each project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are low cost drones important for Canadian defence?

Low cost drones are important because they can be deployed quickly, tested often, and adapted for different operational needs. They do not replace larger defence systems, but they can help improve awareness, training, testing, and readiness.

How are drones being used by Canadian defence and public safety organizations?

Canadian defence and public safety organizations are exploring drones for surveillance, training, emergency response, inspection, situational awareness, and counter drone testing. Organizations like CAF, DND, DRDC, IDEaS, and RCMP are all involved in different parts of Canada’s drone and counter drone ecosystem.

What is counter drone technology?

Counter drone technology refers to systems and processes used to detect, track, identify, and respond to unauthorized or unsafe drone activity. This is especially important around military sites, critical infrastructure, airports, major events, and crowded public spaces.

Can civilian drone operators support military or government drone work?

Yes, civilian drone operators can support defence and public safety work through training, testing, mapping, inspections, realistic flight operations, and operational planning. To do this responsibly, operators need strong safety procedures, Transport Canada compliance, proper documentation, and experience working in complex environments.

Why does real world drone testing matter?

Real world testing helps organizations understand how drones and counter drone systems perform outside of controlled environments. Urban areas, restricted airspace, buildings, weather, radio interference, and public safety requirements all create challenges that need to be tested in realistic conditions.