In a news release last year, the Department of National Defence (DND) revealed it would be investing in an advanced military drone program by establishing a $53-million military drone base in British Columbia. The facility will house three MQ‑9B Reaper military drones built by the U.S. manufacturer General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
The move aligns with Canada’s commitment to increasing its surveillance and reconnaissance abilities, enhancing national security, and supporting search and rescue operations across its vast terrain. Future drone delivery could signal a boon for the nation’s industrial and defence sectors. Companies will require advanced CNC machining to produce these drones and other military technology, and Canadian manufacturers like Ben Machine have the expertise to fill that need.
Since the original announcement, the program has moved ahead: production of the MQ-9B drones has begun, and modifications are under way to ensure Arctic-capable operations, which pushes some delivery timelines out to 2028 and full operational capability to 2033.
At the same time, Canada’s overall defence spending is climbing and its industrial base is looking to ramp up — which means more opportunity for precision manufacturing, including CNC-machined components, to support this capability.
Strategic Significance of Canadian Military Drones
The MQ-9B drone represents a significant strategic asset for national security, offering capabilities that advance Canada’s military and intelligence operations. Their extended flight duration enables them to conduct prolonged surveillance missions without risk to personnel, even in high-threat environments. They have multi-mission flexibility and can carry out various missions, including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and strike missions.
Domestically, the MQ-9B enables enhanced border security, counter-terrorism operations, and support in civil disasters. Internationally, it allows a nation to project power, provide humanitarian aid, and engage in peace-keeping more efficiently.
Recent Lessons and Shifts in Drone Strategy
The experience of Ukraine in recent years has shifted how many militaries view unmanned aerial systems (UAS). There’s a stronger push towards smaller, more agile, cost-effective drones that can be rapidly developed and deployed — instead of only relying on large, heavy platforms. This “air littoral” concept (i.e., aircraft operating in coastal or near-shore zones) emphasizes flexibility and rapid iteration.
For Canada, this means that while the MQ-9B remains a centerpiece of the plan, future iterations likely will include smaller drone systems, especially for Arctic, littoral, and remote terrain use. Additionally, Canadian defence innovation programs such as the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program challenge are encouraging home-grown drone development — including prototypes, unmanned surface and land variants, and payload-modular designs.
There’s also increasing recognition that drone development isn’t only aerial: marine, land and hybrid drone development are gaining traction. For example, unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and casualty-evacuation drones are being explored, and the defence supply chain (including CNC machining) needs to support those variants too.
Impact on National Security & Defence Strategy
Drone technology has become a cornerstone in modern warfare and national defence, and integrating it into the Canadian armed forces matches global trends in defence strategies. The technology incorporates enhanced deterrence and rapid response, which starkly contrasts traditional defence mechanisms.
The expected outcomes for Canada’s military operations include:
- Enhancing Canada’s ability to monitor its extensive coastline and borders.
- The ability to enforce sovereignty in its Arctic territories by asserting control and responding to security challenges in this strategic region.
- As a part of its national defence strategy, Canada will benefit from the drone’s ability to conduct counter-terrorism surveillance and precision strikes to neutralize threats.
- Incorporating advanced drone technology will enable Canada to strengthen its defence posture and contribute substantially to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other international allied missions.
New Infrastructure and Arctic Focus
Under the broader modernization framework, Canada is investing heavily in its continental defence architecture — including the modernization of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Canada’s plan consists of a $38.6-billion, multi-decade program to modernize its aerospace defence, including surveillance systems, command and control, and support for northern operations.
Within the drone base program, selected sites include CFB Comox (19 Wing Comox) in British Columbia and CFB Greenwood in Nova Scotia. Documents show the Comox facility will serve the western portion of Canada’s drone effort.
The Arctic modifications required for drones raise unique operational challenges: frigid temperatures, limited satellite coverage, remote runway infrastructure and harsh weather conditions.
By integrating drones into these sites and linking them into the broader NORAD and defence-industrial ecosystem, Canada is working to build a responsive, sovereign capability — with unmanned systems complementing traditional platforms, and the industrial base playing a key role in enabling that.
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques & CNC Machining
CNC machining plays an essential role in developing military technology, including the production of military drones. Military equipment demands the highest precision levels, and CNC machines deliver components with tight tolerances on challenging materials, such as titanium, that must withstand extreme conditions.
The flexibility of CNC programming allows for quick adjustments and customization of parts, which is especially helpful when prototyping new technology. Precision manufacturing is essential, and CNC machines ensure that each drone’s component is a perfect replica of the last.
New Demands in Drone Manufacturing
As drone systems evolve, the manufacturing demands become more complex. Here are some of the key trends:
- Rapid development cycles: Prototyping and iteration are happening faster, which means CNC shops must be agile and adaptable.
- Multi-axis machining: Advanced drone components — such as air-frame brackets, control-surface linkages, and sensor housings — often require 5-axis or even 7-axis machining to achieve geometric complexity and surface finish for aerodynamic and structural performance.
- Material diversification: In addition to aluminium and titanium, composite-metal hybrid parts, corrosion-resistant alloys and special coatings are increasingly common — especially for Arctic operation where salt spray, extreme cold and fatigue resistance matter.
- Custom configurations: The Canadian drone program includes Arctic-specific modifications and littoral operations — meaning custom enclosures, mounts that integrate with modular payloads, and structural adaptations for temperature extremes.
- Supply-chain responsiveness: With defence programs under pressure to deliver faster, CNC machine shops that can handle low-volume, high-mix production — like prototype runs and small-batch specialized parts — are especially valuable.
In practice, a CNC shop might produce drone fin brackets, sensor gimbal mounts, avionics rack frames, or air-intake covers — each requiring high precision, traceability, and documentation to military standards. This level of manufacturing underpins the broader drone base program and its success.
Capabilities of Ben Machine & Industry Standards
Ben Machine is uniquely positioned in the precision CNC machining industry. We have an excellent record of supporting defence contracts through advanced manufacturing solutions. Our state-of-the-art facility can handle the stringent demands of the defence sector with precision CNC machining services tailored to the complex needs of military technology.
Equipped with multi-axis machining centres, we excel at producing and maintaining intricately designed parts. Our expertise spans a wide range of materials, ensuring adaptability to address the unique challenges presented by each project. This versatility is our commitment to meeting your specific needs.
We are not merely a vendor but a strategic partner to Canada’s military drone base program, dedicated to advancing military technology through unsurpassed precision engineering and manufacturing excellence.
Recent Advances and Industrial Opportunities
- Adaptability to new drone requirements: Because the drone program now emphasizes smaller, rapidly iterated systems (and Arctic-adaption modifications), a machining partner must be able to switch quickly between part types and deliver prototype batches on compressed timelines. Ben Machine has built that agility into its workflow.
- Collaboration with innovation programs: Canada’s IDEaS program and other defence innovation initiatives open up opportunities for CNC shops to work with drone-system integrators, sensor companies and prime contractors. Ben Machine’s flexible high-mix manufacturing model fits well in such collaborative environments.
- Economic and domestic supply-chain impact: By supporting the drone program (and related defence manufacturing), Ben Machine contributes to local job creation, skill development and industrial capacity growth in Canada. The ripple effect includes supporting suppliers, advanced materials firms and post-machining finishing/assembly partners — strengthening the Canadian defence industrial base.
In short, as Canada advances its military drone base initiative, companies like Ben Machine are key enablers of that vision — combining precision machining, material versatility, rapid prototyping and defence-grade standards under one roof.
Conclusion
Canada’s military drone base program reflects a broader shift in defence capability, combining advanced unmanned systems, Arctic- and littoral-ready operations, and a revitalised domestic industrial base. Precision CNC machining enables this next generation of drone innovation — delivering complex, tightly toleranced parts that must perform reliably in extreme environments.
Ben Machine stands as a key player in this ecosystem, equipped and ready to support the “Canada’s military drone base program” through precision engineering, rapid prototyping and Canadian-based manufacturing excellence. As the drone program matures, the partnership between defence planners, integrators and Canadian military drone manufacturers will determine how effectively Canada realises this capability.
