Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, the Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC) commander, emphasized the military’s swift acquisition of cost-effective, autonomous, and reusable weaponry and equipment in response to escalating global threats. Speaking at the Canadian Robotics Council 2026 Symposium, Molstad highlighted the imminent surge in procurement orders amidst a significant overhaul of key platforms.
Addressing Canada’s tech industry during a panel discussion in Toronto, Molstad praised the untapped potential within the Canadian robotics sector, underlining the limitless possibilities of integrating robotics with AI for diverse applications. His advocacy for embracing AI-powered military technology coincides with ongoing debates among global leaders and tech executives on managing the rapid progress of AI.
While autonomous systems like drones are commonly associated with frontline combat, Molstad outlined their potential utility across various military domains such as medical diagnostics, supply chain operations, and automated security inspections. Emphasizing the need to modernize military infrastructure beyond outdated technologies, he stressed the importance of adapting to current defense requirements.
Molstad highlighted the Canadian military’s Defense Drone Initiative, which has pre-qualified 399 vendors, signaling a shift towards embracing new technologies. With the specter of heightened global conflicts looming, Molstad underscored the urgency of modernization to equip military personnel adequately for deterrence purposes.
Collaborating with Duncan Stewart, a special executive advisor on innovation to the Canadian Armed Forces, Molstad acknowledged the challenges of navigating government procurement processes, emphasizing the need for agility and innovation in military supply chains. Stewart noted the pivotal role of smaller, more agile firms in driving innovation, particularly in autonomous systems.
The Canadian government’s commitment to awarding a significant portion of defense contracts to domestic firms aligns with its new defense industrial strategy, aimed at enhancing the military’s capabilities while fostering a robust defense industry. Molstad’s call for industry readiness and swift responses to military procurement requests reflects the military’s imperative to keep pace with evolving threats.
As Canada intensifies its adoption of autonomous systems to match adversaries’ capabilities, experts like David Perry advocate for a strategic increase in autonomous technologies within the military inventory. Ensuring human oversight over AI-powered systems remains a priority to prevent undue reliance on autonomous capabilities.
Looking forward, Molstad foresees a continual stream of procurement opportunities for robotic and autonomous systems in the coming years. Recent partnerships, such as the long-term agreement between Canada and Ukraine for drone manufacturing, underscore the evolving landscape of modern warfare and the increasing reliance on unmanned systems.
Concluding his remarks, Molstad emphasized responsible deployment of robotic and autonomous systems, underscoring the importance of stringent policies and oversight mechanisms to ensure the ethical and effective integration of advanced technologies in military operations.