Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, head of Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC), emphasized the military’s urgent need for additional cost-effective, autonomous, and reusable weapons systems and equipment in response to escalating global threats. Speaking at the Canadian Robotics Council 2026 Symposium, Molstad addressed Canada’s tech industry, hinting at a forthcoming surge in purchase orders to facilitate a significant upgrade of key military platforms.
During the symposium in Toronto, Molstad, a former fighter pilot, praised the untapped potential of Canada’s robotics sector, highlighting the vast possibilities when combining robotics with AI technology. His call for embracing AI-powered military hardware coincides with ongoing discussions among world leaders and tech executives regarding the safe advancement of artificial intelligence.
While drones are commonly associated with frontline combat, Molstad outlined various applications for autonomous technology within the military, such as medical diagnostics, supply chain logistics, and automated inspections of military vehicles. He stressed the importance of modernizing supply depots to meet defense requirements, moving away from outdated technologies of the 1980s and 1990s towards more advanced solutions without necessarily replicating commercial fulfillment centers like Amazon’s.
Molstad revealed that CJFC has already identified 399 pre-qualified vendors for the Defence Drone Initiative, signaling a shift towards incorporating new technologies within Canada’s military operations. With growing concerns about global conflicts, Molstad emphasized the necessity of rapid modernization to equip military personnel adequately for deterrence purposes.
The government’s commitment to awarding the majority of federal defense contracts to Canadian firms aligns with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s strategy to enhance the military’s capabilities while countering external influences pushing for arms production dominance. Molstad’s military background inspired his analogy of “stand by for G-forces,” reflecting the military’s accelerated procurement pace with short response times for requests for proposals.
To bolster Canada’s defense capabilities, experts like David Perry emphasize the need for increased deployment of autonomous systems like drones to match adversaries’ technological advancements. Despite the integration of AI-powered systems, Perry reassured that human control over these systems remains paramount to prevent excessive autonomy.
Looking ahead, Molstad predicted a continued demand for robotic and autonomous system proposals over the next five years, indicating a sustained focus on technological advancement within the military. Recent collaborations with Ukraine, including a significant partnership agreement and joint drone manufacturing initiatives, underscore Canada’s commitment to leveraging unmanned systems in modern warfare scenarios.
Molstad reiterated the importance of responsible adoption of robotic and autonomous systems, stressing the need for stringent policies and oversight to ensure the ethical and safe utilization of these technologies by the military.