The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) announced in August 2025 that it would spend about $28 million to outfit its Halifax-class frigates with advanced counter-drone and surveillance technology to adapt the workhorse naval ships to rapidly changing technological warfare and increased risk in Canada’s extensive Arctic and maritime domains. The six state-of-the-art uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) will enhance the RCN’s ability to conduct long-range surveillance and targeting operations and achieve domain awareness of the 160,000 kilometers of coastline in its Arctic Archipelago.
Initial operational capability for the Class 2 UAS systems is scheduled for 2028 and anticipated to be fully operational by 2032. The initial outlay is for five years and can be extended to 20 years. The addition of the UAS systems to the arsenal will allow Canadian naval vessels to monitor threats in the Atlantic, Arctic and Pacific domains in a much more substantial way, including at much longer distances — a huge advantage for a navy with such an extensive patrol area. “By extending the Navy’s situational awareness and operational reach, the advanced technology of the RCN-ISTAR UAS will support Canada’s naval missions by providing the RCN with critical expertise in uncrewed systems and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, and reinforce Canada’s commitment to modern, adaptable, and effective naval defence,” stated an August 5 news release from the Canadian Department of National Defence. The contract was awarded to MDA Space, a Canadian firm.
An important facet of Canada’s longtime NATO role has been to provide naval security in the North Atlantic and Arctic regions. The Arctic has become increasingly contested in the last 15 years with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Russia testing the boundaries of what had previously been an apolitical, ice-bound region. With melting ice now opening cheaper and shorter seaborne transportation routes and, potentially, mineral extraction opportunities, the CCP and Russia have stepped up provocative actions, highlighting Canadian responsibilities for North American defense. In protecting the North American homeland by patrolling Caribbean and Atlantic routes with NATO and the U.S., RCN operational presence remains crucial. The Canadian government, under Prime Minister Mark Carney, recently announced hikes in defense spending that would amount to Canada spending 2% of its Gross Domestic Product by March 2026, six years earlier than previously forecasted.
Twelve Halifax-class patrol frigates currently serve in the RCN. Launched in the early 1990s, the Halifax-class ships were updated in the early 2000s to bolster their capability as anti-submarine warships with the ability to defend against air and surface threats. The ships are being replaced gradually with River-class patrol ships but are expected to remain in service until the 2040s. With the latest in UAS technology, the hardy Halifax frigates remain potent, said Vice-Adm. Angus Topshee, the RCN’s commander. “These advanced systems will boost our ability to detect and respond to threats at sea, while reinforcing our commitment to innovation and operational readiness in a complex security environment. We are proud to take this important step forward in modernizing our fleet and ensuring mission success at home and abroad,” he said in the National Defence Department statement.