Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy is Here: What's in it for Robotics?

Yesterday’s launch of the 2026 Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) is a landmark moment. By designating Uncrewed Systems as a Tier 1 Sovereign Capability, the Canadian government has sent a clear signal: robotics is no longer just an emerging technology—it is a strategic technology necessary for our nation’s security and economic resilience.

The Canadian Robotics Council (CRC) has released an official response titled Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy: What's in it for Robotics?

While the DIS provides a promising framework, our response identifies critical gaps we must bridge to ensure the DIS meets its mandate. Specifically, we address the risk of Canadian innovators being "vetted out" of the North American market by tightening U.S. security standards, and the urgent need to close the domestic adoption gap. 

Without a national robotics strategy to help our industries integrate robotics and Physical AI at home, Canada risks falling behind the global pace of automation, compromising our industrial readiness and long-term productivity in the critical sectors that drive our economy.

Our response outlines 6 specific recommendations to:

• Formalize robotics as a National Strategic Priority.

• Align the Canadian robotics supply chain with U.S. Security Standards

• Incentivize domestic robotics adoption to ensure our industries remain globally competitive and ready to scale when needed.

  
  

Read our full response here.