Canada is taking early steps toward enhancing its air combat power by exploring the acquisition of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) that could operate in coordination with its incoming fleet of F-35 fighter jets. The Department of National Defence has launched feasibility studies to examine potential drone platforms, aiming to keep pace with the shifting dynamics of modern warfare and the increasing reliance on manned-unmanned teaming.
Initial assessments suggest that such a program could cost up to 16 billion Canadian dollars and require the recruitment and training of hundreds of personnel for drone operations and maintenance. While no procurement decision has been made yet, officials and experts agree that Canada is aligning itself with its allies, many of whom have already invested in similar drone capabilities. According to David Perry from the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, Canada seeks to learn from allied strategies to ensure interoperability and strategic cohesion.
The Royal Canadian Air Force sees unmanned systems as a cost-effective way to expand its aerial presence without shouldering the high costs associated with fifth-generation fighter jets. Drones could serve as force multipliers—flying ahead of manned jets for reconnaissance, electronic warfare, or even strike missions—while being significantly cheaper and more expendable in high-risk environments. This concept has proven impactful in recent conflicts, such as in Ukraine, where drone saturation has challenged traditional air defenses.
The drones Canada is considering would fall under the category of “collaborative combat aircraft”—smaller, semi-autonomous systems that support manned fighters during missions. Although deployment is not expected before 2030, these platforms could one day perform combat tasks entirely on their own. Canada’s 2024 defence policy document, Our North, Strong and Free, discreetly references plans for acquiring both surveillance and strike drones as well as anti-drone systems, reflecting the growing importance of this domain.
Rather than developing a fully indigenous drone solution, the Defence Department is exploring cooperation with international partners. Potential platforms include Boeing’s MQ-28A “Ghost Bat” (Australia), General Atomics’ YFQ-42 (U.S.), and Anduril’s YFQ-44A, which are in various stages of testing and development. European alternatives are also being evaluated.
Royal Canadian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Jamie Speiser-Blanchet has stated that the service is closely monitoring drone warfare trends and considers unmanned systems a high priority for future force structure. These deliberations coincide with an ongoing government review of the F-35 acquisition project—currently valued at 27.7 billion Canadian dollars for 88 aircraft. So far, Canada has ordered 16 of those jets, with further purchases pending political and budgetary decisions.
The integration of combat drones would represent a major evolution in Canada’s airpower doctrine, bringing it in line with modern air forces that are moving toward distributed, networked, and autonomous aerial capabilities. As Ottawa evaluates its next steps, the potential pairing of UCAVs with F-35s may define Canada’s aerial combat strategy for decades to come.
