OTTAWA — The federal government has put out a small shopping list for new drones for the Canadian Army.

The Canadian Armed Forces is searching for companies that can supply the army with land and aerial drones that can be dispatched to deliver cargo and supply munitions to troops.

It’s also looking for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance drones, including some specifically designed to operate in cold Arctic environments.

Ottawa issued a batch of new tenders in recent days under the army’s Minerva initiative, a program designed to integrate drones into its operations.

Canada’s military lags behind the pack on procuring drones, which have demonstrated their importance on the battlefield in Ukraine.

Army Commander Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright has said he wants want to “flood” the army with drones under its modernization plan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 26, 2026.

Kyle Duggan, The Canadian Press