Conference of Defence Associations Institute

Following the Canadian government’s selection of the German-Norwegian bid from TKMS as the preferred supplier for Canada’s Victoria-Class submarine replacement, our fellow David Borys speaks with RAdm (Ret’d) Luc Cassivi and VAdm (Ret’d) Mark Norman about the strategic, operational, and industrial implications of Canada’s largest naval acquisition in decades. They discuss the factors that shaped t...

In February 2026, Canada launched its first Defence Industrial Strategy, backed by major new funding through the Business Development Bank of Canada and the StrongNorth Fund, marking a push to modernize the country’s defence industrial base as global conflict accelerates and technology cycles compress. In today’s episode of the Expert Series, Glenn Cowan, former JTF2 squadron commander and founder...

With Ottawa expected to announce its preferred supplier for the Victoria-Class submarine replacement, Dr. Paul T. Mitchell speaks with CDA Institute Fellow Dr. David Borys about the competing German and South Korean bids and the long-term strategic, operational, and institutional implications of the decision. They discuss the procurement process that narrowed the competition to two submarine desig...

In this episode of the Expert Series, Colonel (Ret'd) Stéphane Boucher, President of the Royal Canadian Artillery Association, explains why Canada is reintroducing long-range rocket artillery now and how HIMARS fits into the Canadian Army’s modernization plan. He discusses why the Canadian Army is investing in long-range precision strike capabilities now, the lessons being drawn from the war...

This episode of the CDA Institute’s Expert Series brings together perspectives from academia, the Canadian Armed Forces, and industry to examine how drones and uncrewed systems are reshaping modern warfare and Canada’s defence posture. Dr. Alexander Salt (Canadian Global Affairs Institute), Lieutenant Colonel Cory Durant (DLR 2, Director of Land Requirements, Canadian Armed Forces) Katheron Intson...

This week there are reports that Canada is revisiting the possibility of acquiring a mixed fleet of fighter aircraft, including F-35s and Saab Gripens. The debate comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the reliability of U.S. security commitments in Europe, NATO force planning, and the strategic need to balance continental defence with international obligations. In this episode of the Expert Series,...

This week, Canada formally entered negotiations with Saab to purchase the GlobalEye airborne early warning system. The announcement comes amid growing political tensions between Ottawa and Washington, a review of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program, and broader efforts by the government to diversify Canada’s defence partnerships beyond the United States. In this episode of the Expert Series, MGen (Re...

The Permanent Joint Board on Defence (PJBD), a long-standing but low-profile mechanism for Canada–U.S. defence coordination, has recently been suspended, raising questions about the state of institutional dialogue underpinning North American security cooperation. While operational channels such as NORAD remain in place, the pause in this advisory forum has prompted broader reflection on how Canada...

The Liberal government plans to significantly expand the newly created Defence Investment Agency (DIA), giving it broader authority beyond standard military procurement and a wider role that could touch other areas of the economy. These plans were outlined in a ways and means motion in the House of Commons and formalized in May 2026 through the Defence Investment Agency Act, part of the Budget 202...

As countries place greater focus on defence spending, supply chain security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure, NATO allies and partner nations are moving forward with plans for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, or DSRB. The proposed institution would provide long-term financing for defence, security, and resilience projects across allied countries. Canada has played a leading ro...

As the Mark Carney government marks one year since its April 28, 2025 election, its defence agenda has been defined by a sharp increase in military spending, major procurement and procurement-system reforms, and a series of new industrial and international defence partnerships in response to a more contested global security environment and ongoing pressure from the United States under Donald Trump...

The Arctic has become an increasingly important focus of North American defence planning due to its geographic role as the shortest route for a range of modern missile systems and its growing relevance to surveillance, maritime activity, and early-warning infrastructure. At the same time, evolving threats are placing pressure on existing continental defence arrangements, particularly the Canada–U....

As NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries across the Nordic region are strengthening deterrence by advancing “total defence” models that integrate military capability with civilian resilience, critical infrastructure protection, and whole-of-society preparedness. On today’s episode of the Expert Series, or fellow Dr. Davi...

As NATO adapts to a rapidly evolving security environment following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, countries across the Nordic-Baltic region are strengthening deterrence by adopting a “total defence” approach that integrates military capability with civilian resilience, economic stability, and societal preparedness. On today’s episode of the Expert Series, Ambassador Egidijus Meilūnas, A...

On March 26, 2026, Canada reached the NATO defence spending target of two per cent of GDP for the first time in decades. The government achieved this after a late boost to defence funding, supported by internal reorganization and measures to strengthen the military. The milestone reflects Canada’s efforts to meet allied expectations and reinforce its defence capabilities. Today, Dr. Philippe Lagas...

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, we bring you a special recap recorded on the sidelines of the 2026 Ottawa Conference on Security and Defence - capturing timely reflections aligned with this year’s theme, “The Road to 5%.” As Canada signals a major shift in defence spending and strategic posture, this episode offers a snapshot of the conversations shaping thinking in real time across the d...

As Canada seeks its security and operational capacity in the North, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently announced a $35-billion federal plan to expand defence capabilities and infrastructure across the Arctic and northern regions, including upgrades to military bases, new operational hubs, improved airports, and road construction projects. On today’s episode of the Expert Series, MGen (Ret’d) Mich...

As Canada seeks to strengthen its independence and resilience in a more uncertain world, Prime Minister Mark Carney recently embarked on a 10-day tour of the Indo-Pacific, meeting with leaders in India, Australia, and Japan. Today, Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Rohinton Medhora, Vina Nadjibulla, and Mike Hughes joined us to discuss the strategic significance of Prime Minister Carney’s visit to Asia,...

On February 28, 2026, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated, an event that shocked the region and raised significant questions about Iran’s operational security. While his death is undeniably significant, the Islamic Republic survives his assassination, though it emerges considerably weakened, particularly given prior leadership losses and ongoing military and infrastructure degrada...

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, CDA Institute Executive Director Gaëlle Rivard Piché and CGAI President & CEO David Perry examine how Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy is redefining the relationship between strategic autonomy, economic prosperity, and national security.  They discuss the structural reforms and cultural shifts required to drive innovation, strengthen sovereign capab...

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, we examine Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy and how it aims to reshape military readiness, domestic industrial capacity, and Canada’s position in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment. Vice-Admiral (Ret’d) Mark Norman, Lieutenant-General (Ret’d) Andrew Leslie, and the Honourable Peter MacKay assess the strategy’s ambition, its proposed “Buil...

On today’s episode of the Expert Series, we delve into the strategic complexities of Arctic security through the lens of wargaming. MGen (Ret’d) Dennis Thompson, creator of the game and Senior Mentor and Instructor at the Canadian Forces College, and Ven Adamov, Partner and Data Analytics Leader in KPMG’s Risk Services Practice, share their experiences and key takeaways while highlighting the geop...

On today’s episode of the Expert Series , UBC Professor and CDA Institute Fellow David Borys is joined by CDAI Chair General (Ret’d) Tom Lawson and Vice-Chair Wendy Gilmour to discuss their recent National Post opinion piece on rebuilding the Canadian Armed Forces. Together, they examine Canada’s defence spending and its implications for the military, including recruitment and retention challenges...

As Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this week, the links between defence planning, energy vulnerability, and resilience in Europe are once again front of mind. In this very timely release, the CDA Institute’s Climate Security Programme is sharing the third and final episode of its Special Expert Series highlighting key insights from the 4th Montreal Climate Security Su...

On today’s episode of The Expert Series Podcast, we speak with Shashank Joshi, Defence Editor at The Economist, to examine the Trump administration’s interest in Greenland, growing strains within the transatlantic alliance, and what recent developments at the World Economic Forum in Davos reveal about the future of global order.  Joshi reflects on the implications of renewed great power competitio...