What’s making waves across the Atlantic - 10 Feb
Vimy Forge, the DSRB, Steel production, Submarines, European Innovation programs.
On the eve of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy - this week’s issue covers the Vimy Forge, the DSRB, Steel production, Submarines, European Innovation programs.
Let’s get started.
Between three oceans
Vimy Forge launched its first cohort, welcoming 10 companies to Fredericton next month. Vimy Forge is Canada’s first national defence accelerator.
The companies span critical capabilities across AI, cyber, autonomy, space, robotics, advanced materials, and unmanned systems - technologies that matter for national security, economic resilience, and allied interoperability.
Quebec’s Davie and Sault Ste. Marie’s Algoma celebrated the rolling of Canadian steel for the construction of the Canadian Coast Guard’s Polar Max icebreaker. It builds on years of planning and collaboration working with Algoma Steel, Stigterstaal Canada, the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, and other Canadian industry partners since 2022 to secure domestic steel solutions for the Polar Max Program and for Canada’s next generation of complex vessels.
Vancouver launched its bid for the Defence, Security, and Resilience Bank, (joining Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal in the running) touting a unique combination of strengths that align with DSRB:
strategic global position that connects NATO partners with key allies in the Indo-Pacific region, and features an active, robust consular corps from allied nations;
capacity to host the DSRB using existing institutions, infrastructure and talent;
anchoring B.C.’s defence-related industrial base across marine, aerospace and ocean tech;
strengths in AI, quantum tech, aerospace, marine and cybersecurity with rapidly growing dual-use innovators, such as Photonic, AbCellera and Sanctuary AI;
being home to Canada’s largest and most-integrated port, and world-class airport;
Photon-IV, a Canadian deep‑tech startup building intelligent defence network systems, has been awarded R&D funding through a $250,000 contract under the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program of the Department of National Defence. ESA programs might be a next step?
Canadian Patrol Submarine Project
Germany’s TKMS announced the launch of the Canadian Defence & Dual-Use Innovation Ecosystem (#CDDE), a national initiative designed to strengthen Canada’s ability to translate advanced research into deployable defence capabilities and scalable civilian applications.
The CDDE will be launched with core academic partners, including Western University (in Southern Ontario). The university signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TKMS, affirming its commitment to international and private-sector partnerships that support innovative, made-in-Canada solutions.
TKMS also signed a Strategic Teaming Agreement with EllisDon to support the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project. This adds an infrastructure giant to the submarine team, rounding out the team as Toronto’s EllisDon is a top 5 construction company in Canada. Infrastructure is expected to be a large portion of the Canadian content on the program.
On the continent
Canada appointed Bill Blair as High Commissioner for Canada in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Nathalie G. Drouin as Ambassador of Canada to France and Monaco. Both have substantial defence and national security backgrounds and will be able further develop those relationships abroad.
Another Frontex Industry Day! An opportunity for Canadian companies to showcase their Digital Twin solutions to the Warsaw-based European Border and Coast Guard Agency. Frontex is excited to invite you to the next Industry Day on 24 Feb 2026 (online). The event is your chance to showcase your tech to Border Security experts and explore how Digital Twin and immersive technologies can address complex operational challenges faced by the European Border and Coast Guard community.
Register here or check out the link for more info.
The UK launched its Search for Britain’s next defence unicorn kicks off with new £20 million fund - GOV.UK.
The European Defence Agency launched an SME and startup focused call for innovators in defence (cascade funding), through the #MaJoR project.
Under the indirect management of EDA, EDF project MaJoR is looking for up to 30 innovators to act as technology/solution providers and tackle defence innovation challenges across air, sea, and land domains.
Successful applicants will receive up to €60,000 in funding and participate in a six-month support and business development programme. Apply by 25 March 2026.
Canada Latvia
More details were released regarding the Canada Latvia MOU CCC signs MoU to enhance Canada-Latvia defence and security cooperation. The MoU establishes a structured framework for Canadian Latvian defence cooperation focused on procurement, capability development, and joint projects. Canada already plays a major role in Latvia’s security architecture as the nation leading NATO’s Multinational Brigade Latvia under Operation REASSURANCE – the largest Canadian overseas military deployment.
Ukraine will operate ten export centers in Europe focused on defense technology, is one coming to Canada sometime soon?
Volodymyr Zelenskyi, President of Ukraine: “Today, we are opening exports. Ten export centers across Europe will be operating as early as 2026 – in the Baltic and Nordic states. Ten representative offices will be active in 2026. By mid-February, we will already see the production of our drones in Germany. I will receive the first drone. This is a production line that is operational. Production lines are also operating in the United Kingdom. All of these are Ukrainian technologies.”
The criticals
‘Project Vault’, is a U.S. strategic reserve announced by Trump to shield manufacturers from supply disruptions. Funded by $10B EXIM Bank loan plus $2B in private capital, it targets rare earths and key metals like lithium and nickel, reducing reliance on China amid price volatility and export curbs.
Canadian Robert Friedland and Vancouver headquartered Ivanhoe Mines was at the centre of it all. Ivanhoe Mines Founder and Executive Co-Chairman Robert Friedland Meets with U.S. President Donald J. Trump at the White House for the Launch of Project Vault, a $12 Billion Strategic Critical Minerals Stockpile – Ivanhoe Mines
The U.S. Department of Defense’s $18M investment in Canada‘s 5N Plus will enable significant expansion of germanium refining capacity, directly bolstering North American supply chains for critical defense technologies like night-vision optics, surveillance, and satellite solar cells.
The deal underscores Canada‘s growing role as a trusted source for strategic minerals, reducing U.S. reliance on adversarial suppliers and injecting capital into domestic processing infrastructure, in this case foreign direct investment from the US Department of Defence.
For the Canadian mineral resource sector, it signals accelerating cross-border partnership, which follows over $60M in prior U.S. funding for Canadian firms, likely spurring further investments in refining, recycling, and midstream capabilities while enhancing Teck Resources’ upstream germanium output (which provides germanium to 5N) and 5N Plus’ market value, which has surged over 650% in three years.
Your next bound:
Canadian defence events:
If you prefer Ships, Vanguard’s annual Shiptech forum takes place this 24 Feb, in Ottawa.
CDA’s annual Ottawa conference will be 5-6 Mar, 2026. The high-level event is already 70% sold out.
Registration ends soon for CADSI’s CAF Outlooks 7-9 April in Ottawa.
Registration opens soon for CANSEC - May 27-28, Ottawa.
European defence events:
The European Defence Fund Info Days take place 10-11 Mar in Brussels.
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).
Given the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, consider attending Hannover Messe, 20-24 April.
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, 2026.
Canada is the lead nation at Poland’s MSPO - 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition MSPO ‹ Targi Kielce S.A. 8-11 Sept 2026. MSPO is Canada’s second largest defence presence internationally and a gateway to Ukraine.
Critical Minerals:
PDAC is planned in Toronto Mar 1-4.
This is canadaxeurope, a mash-up of what really matters in defence, trade and business across the Atlantic. Containing practical insights, field notes, connections and headlines.
–We’re inviting contributors, recommendations, and ideas to make this a community-driven resource for people working in this transatlantic crosswind.--
@Dean Blundell