Ottawa's Defence Sector Is Having a Moment
Ottawa's defence and security industry is riding an unprecedented wave of momentum, and nowhere was that more visible than at CANSEC 2026 — Canada's premier defence and security trade show — where Ottawa-area firms drew packed crowds and buzz that had founders practically buzzing with optimism.
The biennial event, held at EY Centre in Ottawa's south end, brought together hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees from across Canada and allied nations. For local companies in the defence and aerospace supply chain, it was a chance to show off what they've been building — and the response was overwhelming.
Local Firms Finding Their Footing on a Global Stage
Several Ottawa-area startups and scale-ups in areas like communications technology, cybersecurity, drone systems, and intelligence software reported standing-room-only booth traffic. Founders described the atmosphere as electric, with serious buyers — including procurement officials from the Canadian Armed Forces and allied militaries — actively seeking made-in-Canada solutions.
The enthusiasm isn't just anecdotal. Canada's defence budget has been on an upward trajectory amid global instability, and Ottawa companies are well-positioned to capitalize. The National Capital Region has long been home to federal government contractors and defence primes, but a newer generation of agile tech startups is carving out its own space alongside legacy players.
"The sky's the limit," was a phrase heard more than once on the show floor — a sentiment that captures the mood among founders who, just a few years ago, were navigating a much quieter market.
Why Ottawa Is Built for This
It's no accident that Ottawa's defence ecosystem is thriving. The city's deep bench of government relations expertise, proximity to National Defence Headquarters, and concentration of engineering talent — much of it spun out of Carleton University, uOttawa, and established primes like L3Harris and General Dynamics — gives local startups a natural edge.
Kanata North, Ottawa's tech hub, has increasingly seen defence-adjacent companies set up shop alongside more traditional software and telecom firms. The crossover between cybersecurity, AI, and defence applications has also opened new doors for Ottawa's already-robust tech sector.
What's Driving the Surge
NATO's push for member nations to hit the two-percent-of-GDP defence spending target has put wind in the sails of the entire Canadian defence industrial base. Ottawa companies are also benefiting from allied procurement programs, with U.S., U.K., and Australian buyers scouting for interoperable technologies at events like CANSEC.
For smaller firms, the challenge is now scaling fast enough to meet demand — a good problem to have. Several Ottawa founders noted they're actively hiring, with plans to grow their teams significantly over the next 12 to 18 months.
A City to Watch
CANSEC has always had an Ottawa flavour — it's held here, after all — but this year felt like a turning point for homegrown companies stepping out of the shadow of the big primes. If the energy on the show floor is any indication, Ottawa's defence tech scene is only getting started.
Source: Ottawa Business Journal
