**** DND Release
DND announces the first project under BOREALIS
Department of NationalDefence/Canadian Armed Forces
Today, DND announced the establishment of Canada’s first Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH) at COVE in the Halifax Regional Municipality.
It has been recognized that the need for independent and resilient defence capabilities to protect its sovereignty. As part of Canada’s NATO commitments, it is actively engaging the Canadian innovation ecosystem and enhancing collaboration with like-minded partners. As part of this effort, the Government will invest $29.4M, to establish the Maritime DISH, a new hub focused on resilience and collaboration.
This pilot initiative marks the beginning of a national network of secure, purpose-built spaces, where Canadian researchers and scientists and their trusted partners can co-develop, test, and validate emerging technologies requiring classified handling.
These hubs will focus on critical areas of defence research and development essential to a resilient Canadian innovation industry. These areas include quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, autonomous systems, Arctic research, space, and—in Atlantic Canada—the Maritime DISH will focus on ocean technology.
The Maritime DISH will unite various defence and security partners, including industry, academia, naval and joint operators, and federal departments and agencies, to collaboratively develop, test, and transition new maritime technologies. Key areas of focus will include:
undersea domain awareness;
uncrewed and autonomous systems;
advanced sensing and surveillance technologies; and
AI-enabled maritime analytics.
Quick Facts
Last month, the Department of National Defence’s science and technology organization, Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), signed collaboration agreements with COVE and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to launch this pilot.
COVE is Canada’s leading technology partner advancing high-impact solutions in the maritime domain – from seabed to space. Its mission is to move technology from prototype to deployment through real-world testing and validation, to support ventures’ growth into sustainable businesses, and to ensure the right talent is in place to succeed.
The Halifax Regional Municipality provides an excellent backdrop to support the Maritime DISH moving forward. With a thriving innovation ecosystem – sustaining more than 300 entrepreneurial science and technology start-ups – it is also home to several major universities and research centres, Canada’s Atlantic naval fleet, and the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic North American regional office.
The Department of National Defence continues to work closely with Canadian industry partners to build a strong and resilient defence industrial base that supports Canada’s defence and economic needs for decades to come
