Canada X Indo-Pacific 5th Ed. - Tracking Procurement, Grants and Accelerators, US National Security Strategy, Australia Defence Procurement Reorg and More
24 November to 8 December
Canada – More Defence Spending, MINERVA Launches, CAE
What did we see?
There’s lots on the boiler in Canada these past few weeks, including Canada joining Europe’s SAFE initiative. There was also confirmation that Minister Joly was in the Republic of Korea (see more under S. Korea below) touring the KSS-III submarine.
Meanwhile, the Canadian Army launched the Minerva initiative designed to “figure out how best to equip our troops with small, uncrewed systems, like drones on land, air, and water, that can scout ahead, deliver supplies, or strike targets. These tools will reduce risk to soldiers and give them better situational awareness and options on the modern battlefield.”
Canada also moved ahead with a $44.7M contract award to MDA Space for Radarsat+ for the procurement of long lead items.
CAE did a recent interview with Asian Military Review highlighting interest in the region, particularly Japan and Singapore.
Finally, Canada announced the RDII (Regional Defence Investment Initiative), a $357.7M initiative delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies, designed to help companies engage in the defence marketplace.
What to watch:
● Canada’s joining of SAFE offers some interesting opportunities, but how exactly will it be used? Watch for implementation plan announcements.
● Right now it’s about planning, but when will Minerva translate into programs and procurement dollars?
What to do:
● Apply for RDII funding. With $357.7M available through regional development agencies, identify which agency covers your region and submit applications to fund defense capability development, certifications, or market entry activities.
● Engage with Minerva consultations. Participate in any Army engagement sessions on the initiative. If you have UAS/drone capabilities (land, air, or water), reach out to the Canadian Army modernization team to demonstrate your solutions during this planning phase.
United States – A (New?) Take On National Security Policy
What did we see?
Over the weekend, the US quietly released the National Security Strategy of the United States of America. For a full analysis check out War on the Rocks , but this should give you a flavour of the general view of some expert commentators: “it narrows American purpose to “core national interests” and explicitly disavows the post-Cold War liberal order that the United States has built and led.” And “economic nationalism and reindustrialization sit at the center of security strategy, not at the periphery”
What to watch for:
Pressures: Partner countries and those active in the Indo-Pacific will be pressured to make more defence and security contributions where there are strategic and economic imperatives, where will pressure be applied first?
Actions: Specific call to action for Europe, Japan, RoK, Australia, Canada and Mexico to adopt trade policies to rebalance trade with China, and mention of an expectation of ‘sole-sourcing’ to US companies, how does this evolve?
Deeptech: How do specific call outs in the policy in defence technology areas like undersea, space, nuclear, AI, quantum, autonomous systems and energy get translated into action?
What to do
What can Canada do that will do ‘double duty’ of satisfying some of the demands made by the Americans, while also meeting our own objectives and interests?
Start analyzing the potential commercial implications for your firm and market segment
Identify where there are gaps and where the US is going to be transactional and western hemispheric focused. Do these areas present opportunities to strike new partnerships? Help friends and allies with diversification? What commercial opportunities do they present?
Australia – Acquisition Org Reshuffle
What did we see?
Australia has created a “Defence Delivery Agency”, but unlike in Canada where the new Defence Investment Agency technically falls under Public Services and Procurement Canada, the Australian entity will report directly to the Defence Minister.
In other news, AtkinsRealis closed a deal in the UK to “support submarine reactor projects with expertise in nuclear propulsion, safety, systems engineering, and program delivery. It will also provide consulting, environmental services, asset management, cyber resilience, digital solutions, and reactor design.”
Why is this under Australia? Well, AtkinsRealis also closed an acquisition of ADG in Australia, and based on this 2023 publication and here , has had their eye on AUKUS for awhile.
What to watch:
● How will the Defence Delivery Agency affect existing programs? What’s the implementation plan?
● Despite not formally being in AUKUS, it appears a Canadian multinational will form a core part of engineering and technical capability for delivery. Does AtkinsRealis’ recent moves offer Canada additional opportunities to engage? Given workforce and labour constraints, what other opportunities are there?
What to do:
● Monitor existing program transitions. If you’re currently engaged in Australian Defence programs, proactively reach out to program managers to understand how the new agency will affect contract management, delivery timelines, and accountability structures.
● Explore AtkinsRealis as an AUKUS bridge. AtkinsRealis (Canadian HQ) is now positioned across UK nuclear submarine work and Australian delivery through ADG. Canadian companies with complementary capabilities should explore partnerships that could give them access to AUKUS work through this pathway. Given tremendous workforce shortages, the Australians will need the help.
Japan – New Alliances with Australia & Exploring Security Assistance Program
What did we see?
Japan and Australia have launched a “Framework for Strategic Defence Coordination” which includes specific reference to industrial cooperation in shipbuilding and sustainment.
This comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions with the PRC, with Chinese fighter jets directing radar at Japanese aircraft.
There’s also discussion of further export control reforms enabling the export of lethal equipment in 2026.
Our friends at Nexus Pacific covered the Official Security Assistance Program in a recent post—worth checking out if you are in maritime domain awareness, space surveillance, counter-UAS, and satcom, and looking for an entry path into the APAC market.
What to watch:
● Does the recent agreement offer a framework for engagement that Canada could either leverage or modify for its own agreements? What are the defence industrial angles covered in the framework?
What to do:
● Target Official Security Assistance markets. If you have capabilities in maritime domain awareness, space surveillance, counter-UAS, or satcom, study Japan’s Official Security Assistance Program as a pathway to multiple Indo-Pacific markets (Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam) where Japan is providing equipment and training.
● Monitor export control changes closely. Japan’s 2026 easing of lethal equipment exports will fundamentally change what can be co-developed and sold. Companies should prepare now for expanded collaboration possibilities once restrictions lift.
South Korea – Other Opportunities?
What did we see?
Minister Joly toured the KSS-III submarine during her visit to South Korea.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is hosting a discussion in Vancouver. Outputs should be interesting if shared. See background here on Canada-Republic of Korea Track 1.5 defence and security cooperation. Given recent developments with AtkinsRealis supporting UK Submarines and nuclear propulsion and Seoul’s push for nuclear powered conventionally armed subs, perhaps there’s a meaningful play here for Canada in the region.
Worth noting: Canada’s casualty identification program is thanking Canadians for help locating soldiers missing from the Korean War a reminder that Canada-ROK defense ties have deep roots, and that modern cooperation builds on shared sacrifice and shared values.
South Korea is also making inroads in Singapore with the announcement of a new Strategic Partnership with Singapore
What to watch:
● Track 1.5 dialogue outputs. The Vancouver event should produce concrete recommendations on defense industrial cooperation pathways. Watch for announcements following this engagement.
● How will S. Korea’s nuclear sub ambitions unfold? Are there gaps in capability that an engineering giant like AtkinsRealis could help fill? Are there broader linkages that can be made?
What to do:
● Prepare for offset/value prop and ITB negotiations. If you’re a Canadian company that could absorb technology transfer, participate in co-production, or provide sustainment services, develop clear proposals for how you’d integrate into a Korean (or European) submarine program. The winning bidder will need credible Canadian industrial partners.
New Zealand – Joint Operations
NZDF deployed HMNZS Aotearoa and P-8A Poseidon aircraft to enforce North Korea sanctions, demonstrating sustained commitment to regional security operations and sanctions enforcement partnerships, working alongside Canada’s HMCS Max Bernays.
Philippines – Capability Delivery
The Philippines accepted delivery of BRP Diego Silang, a demonstration of the continuing depth and breadth of the South Korean defence industry capabilities.
Indonesia – Deepening Cooperation with Canada
Indonesian Ambassador to Canada Muhsin Syihab visited the Peace Support Training Center in Kingston to advance conversations to implement the MOUs signed in August and September.
Upcoming Events
● Space Summit 2026 | February 2-3, 2026 | Singapore
● Singapore Airshow 2026 | February 3-6, 2026 | Singapore
● Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC) 2026 | February 10–11, 2026 | Singapore.
● Subsea Security & Defence 2026 | February 10-13, 2026 | Singapore
Grants, Accelerators & Procurement Opportunity Tracker
In talking with a few clients and friends, I’ve decided to start a tracker for procurements, grants and funding opportunities and other initiatives that are 1. Export relevant 2. Linked to dual-use tech or deeptech/innovation. Here’s a start:
If you have items you think should be covered, send them my way.
Future editions: Singapore, Thailand, India, Taiwan, and others.
Did we miss something? If so, let us know. Canada X Indo-Pacific is taking a break over the holidays. We’ll be back in January.