Ottawa, Canada | May 28–29, 2025

CANSEC 2025 Sparks Innovation and Cross-Industry Momentum in Ottawa

CANSEC 2025—the cornerstone event for Canada’s defense and security sector—returned this spring to the EY Centre in Ottawa, bringing together over 280 exhibitors and more than 12,000 industry and government attendees. The trade show featured expanded exhibit space and a newly introduced “Spotlight Stage,” which highlighted emerging technology trends across battlefield systems, logistics, and interoperability.

Among the standout developments:

• Global Players, Local Focus: South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace presented a wheeled variant of its K9 Self‑Propelled Howitzer, emphasizing “Made with Canada, For Canada”—a strategic pitch aligned with Canada’s upcoming artillery modernization efforts.

• National Innovation on Display: The National Research Council demonstrated new capabilities in drone interdiction, LiDAR mapping, and subsea monitoring, reinforcing Canada’s growing domestic R&D strength.

• Industry Recognition and Momentum: The show wrapped with Canadian Defence Review’s annual Pre-CANSEC reception, where CAE was named Canada’s top defense company. New high-profile memorandums of understanding were announced between Canadian firms and global OEMs.

• Quebec Strength on the Floor: Additive manufacturing firm Solaxis spotlighted its large-format 3D printing systems, with ISO and CGP certifications positioning it for agile response in aerospace and defense production.

Why This Matters Locally:

Held just minutes from Ottawa International Airport, CANSEC 2025 reinforced the capital’s role as a center of gravity for Canadian defense innovation. The event provided a platform for meaningful collaboration between local SMEs, international primes, and procurement agencies—setting the tone for future industrial and sovereign capability development.