Draganfly CEO Calls for Procurement Overhaul to Scale Canadian Drone Industry
Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell testified before the Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs, urging Ottawa to streamline procurement for faster deployment of Canada’s UAV systems. He argued that building domestic industrial capacity, rather than focusing solely on weapon purchases, is vital for sovereignty and scalable conflict response.
1. CEO Testimony Before Senate Committee
On April 16, 2026, Draganfly CEO Cameron Chell appeared before the Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs to discuss Canada’s defence procurement strategies. He highlighted the need for faster, scalable acquisition processes to match the pace of modern UAV deployment in military operations.
2. Proposed Procurement Reforms
Chell urged the government to streamline approval timelines, reduce bureaucratic hurdles and establish clearer criteria for domestic UAV contracts, aiming to accelerate deployment from prototype to frontline within months rather than years. He stressed that aligning policy frameworks with industry capabilities would encourage investment and innovation across Canada’s drone sector.
3. Importance of Domestic Industrial Capacity
Emphasizing ‘weapons can win a battle—but industrial capacity wins wars and ensures sovereignty,’ Chell argued that strengthening local manufacturing and supply chains is crucial for scalable conflict response. He predicted that robust domestic production would not only increase readiness but also position Canada as a competitive exporter of military UAV systems in global markets.