Overview of the Promise

During his campaign for prime minister, Mark Carney pledged to expand Canada's fleet of aerial and underwater drones to establish a persistent presence in the air and sea. This included providing persistent surveillance to protect against threats in the Arctic and at Canada's borders. Additionally, the promise emphasized building Canadian industry through defence partnerships and leveraging domestic innovations.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made several announcements and commitments related to enhancing Canada's defence capabilities, particularly in the Arctic region. In March 2025, Carney visited Iqaluit, Nunavut, to announce initiatives aimed at strengthening Canadian security and sovereignty in the Arctic, including boosts to military presence. This was followed by a June 2025 announcement of an $80 billion long-term defence investment package, which explicitly focuses on technological modernization, domestic industrial capacity, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS), encompassing drones.

In August 2025, further details emerged with Carney unveiling a drone-focused defence strategy in Halifax, which includes plans for new autonomous vehicles, submarines, and icebreakers to defend the Arctic, borders, and undersea infrastructure. This strategy aligns with the promise by prioritizing drone expansion for persistent surveillance. Additionally, the government has committed billions in defence spending to meet NATO targets, including funds for drones and combat vehicles.

Progress on Expanding the Drone Fleet

The government has initiated steps toward expanding the fleet of aerial and underwater drones. Regulatory changes by Transport Canada in 2025 have unlocked potential for medium-sized drones and beyond visual line-of-sight operations, facilitating broader drone use without special certificates. Investments have spurred growth in the Canadian drone industry, with companies like Draganfly positioning for rapid expansion through integration with Department of National Defence-specified systems. However, as of September 2025, actual procurement and deployment of new drones appear to be in the planning and funding stages, with no reports of a fully expanded fleet yet operational.

Establishing Persistent Presence and Surveillance

Efforts to build a persistent presence in the air and sea, including surveillance in the Arctic and at borders, are evident in partnerships and infrastructure projects. A key development is the March 2025 deal with Australia to develop an over-the-horizon radar system in the Arctic, valued at $6 billion, which complements drone surveillance by enhancing threat detection from adversaries like Russia and China. Announcements also include $420 million for expanding Arctic military presence. While these steps support persistent surveillance, full implementation of drone-based systems for ongoing monitoring is still in progress, with industry growth drawing lessons from conflicts like Ukraine to innovate tactics.

Building Canadian Industry Through Partnerships and Innovations

The promise to build Canadian industry has seen tangible advancements. The defence splurge has attracted investors to drone firms, with one Ontario-based company raising $26 million and tripling its share price. The government is leveraging domestic innovations by fostering partnerships, such as with Inuit leaders for Arctic economic growth and international allies like Australia for radar technology. Plans also emphasize creating a military drone export industry, drawing on Canadian robotics and drone advancements. This aspect is actively in progress, with regulatory updates supporting industry expansion.

Legislation and Policy Developments

No specific new legislation has been passed solely for drone fleet expansion as of September 2025, but related policy changes include Transport Canada's 2025 regulatory updates to drone operations, which reduce barriers for advanced drone use in surveillance roles. The broader defence modernization is embedded in budget announcements and NATO commitment fulfilments, with $9 billion allocated this year for military upgrades including drones. Critics, including commentary in outlets like The Guardian, have raised concerns about related border surveillance bills potentially leading to excessive monitoring, but these are not directly tied to the drone promise. If proposed legislation for defence procurement advances in Parliament, it could further solidify these efforts.

Challenges and Risks

While announcements indicate momentum, the promise remains in progress due to the early stage of Carney's term. Full realization requires actual procurement, deployment, and operational integration of drones, which could take years given historical delays in Canadian defence projects, such as past Arctic drone initiatives stalled by arms-control rules. If funding is redirected or international tensions ease without follow-through, there is a risk of being broken. To be considered kept, the government must demonstrate an operational increase in drone fleets providing persistent surveillance by the end of the term.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.