Canada's European charm offensive continues
This time it was the Canadian Embassy in France’s turn (last week was Germany’s) to host a defence-related event. Canadian cities conducted a roadshow in the UK and several Ukrainian-related..
What’s making waves across the Atlantic
While things stayed quieter in Canada, the charm offensive in Europe continued. This time it was the Canadian Embassy in France’s turn (last week was Germany’s) to host a defence-related event. Canadian cities conducted a roadshow in the UK and several Ukrainian-related initiatives converged.
Between three oceans
Canada promoted its investment in Europe’s Space Agency touting ABB as an example of return-on-investment and championing Canadian tech abroad.
The Royal Danish Embassy and Greenland Representation to the United States and Canada, in partnership with North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN) and the Canadian Maritime Security Network (CMSN), hosted a workshop on Northern Maritime Security with a focus on threats In, To, and Through the Arctic and North Atlantic.
On the continent
Canada’s embassy in France kicked-off their week with 10 early stage companies Cen Tech, a tech accelerator.
This was followed by the Canada-France Economic Forum, with a focus on defence, aerospace and security and celebrated both initiatives as part of a growing closer defence partnership. Airbus lauded the Canada–Europe Defence & Aerospace Mission. The visit included Station F, billed as the biggest startup campus in the world.
Canada’s Portuguese Chamber of Commerce held a business drink in honour of mining opportunities in Canada and plans an executive luncheon 3 Dec.
28 Canadian cities flew into London (UK) for an investment roadshow. Canada’s High Commission in the United Kingdom played host with Invest Canada.
Flowing River Capital (a Canadian Indigenous investment firm) acquired Marshall Land Systems. The UK-headquartered Marshall Group has been working to sell-off the Land Systems unit as Legacy contracts have led to a series of growing losses: £5M in 2021, £15M in 2022, £20M in 2023, and £36M in 2024. The roughly $140M (CAD) in recent losses can be balanced against a $354M order book (£192M - 2023 reported figures).
Marshall Land Systems has been growing in Canada, where it is a significant partner in the Logistics Vehicle Modernization program. Canadian procurement indigenous set-asides target 5%, and Marshall Land Systems places it among a very limited number of Tier-1 manufacturers that meet that Canadian Indigenous procurement requirements. The company’s global reach could turn it into an indigenous success story with the full backing of the Canadian and UK governments.
Canada’s Calian highlighted its role in supporting the NATO Joint Force Training Centre ahead of Exercise LOYAL DOLOS.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrskyi spoke with the Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Armed Forces General Jennie Carignan, emphasizing the importance for Ukraine of strengthening its air shield and further acquisition financing.
NATO and Ukraine launched UNITE – Brave NATO, a new joint-initiative to accelerate innovation.
The Canada-Ukraine Chamber of Commerce together with Embassy of Canada to Ukraine and CEO Club Ukraine proudly co-organized a roundtable with Chrystia Freeland. The event brought together 15 CEOs from Ukraine.
The criticals
Ottawa fast-tracked Defense Metals’ Wicheeda rare earth project on Monday, with federal support and a strong partnership with the McLeod Lake Indian Band accelerating permitting. The northern B.C. deposit Ottawa fast-tracked will produce high-grade neodymium-praseodymium for EV motors, wind turbines, and defence systems, strengthening Canada’s supply-chain security while delivering Indigenous-led economic benefits in a China-dominated sector.
In addition, the new US $2.8B (C$3.9B) uranium export deal with India - supplied by Cameco and greenlit under PMs Carney and Modi - revives nuclear cooperation, diversifying Canadian exports amid U.S. trade uncertainties while enhancing energy security through peaceful atomic tech and small modular reactors, ultimately reducing geopolitical vulnerabilities in both resource extraction and defence postures.
Your next bound:
Canadian defence events:
Naval Québec Annual Conference Dec 1, in Québec.
Register for Vanguard’s annual C4ISR conference Jan 27, in Ottawa.
If you prefer Ships, Vanguard’s annual Shiptech forum takes place the following month, 24 Feb, in Ottawa.
Keep an eye out for CDA’s annual Ottawa conference in Mar, 2026 - no official date posted yet.
CADSI’s CAF Outlooks take place in early April (2026 dates not published yet) in Ottawa.
Time to put CANSEC on your calendar - May 27-28, Ottawa.
European defence events:
IQPC’s Land Warfare Europe takes place in Lithuania 9-10 Dec.
International Armoured Vehicles Conference takes place in London (United Kingdom) on Jan 21-23.
Navy Tech and Seabed Defence Navy Tech Overview - Navy Leaders 3-5 Feb in Sweden.
A save-the-date was issued for the European Defence Fund Info Days 10-11 Mar in Brussels. Canada is not part of the EU’s yearly €1B in funding program, but chances are you know a European company that is.
ITEC 2026, Europe’s largest defence training technology exhibition and technical conference Mar 25-27.
Undersea defence technology (UDT) takes place Apr 14-16 in London (United Kingdom).
Europe’s largest land domain conference, Eurosatory, is planned in Paris, 15-19 June.
The largest airshow takes place in England, Farnborough International Airshow | Farnborough International Airshow 20-24 July.
Canada is the lead nation at Poland’s MSPO - 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO ‹ Targi Kielce S.A. 8-11 Sept. MSPO is Canada’s second largest defence presence internationally and a gateway to Ukraine.
Critical Minerals:
If critical minerals is your thing, add Vancouver Resource Investment Conference to your agenda, Jan 25-26.
PDAC is planned in Toronto Mar 1-4.
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