About this Event
November 23, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Westin Ottawa | Confederation Ballroom
For inquiries, please contact [email protected].
About the Conference
Autonomous and uncrewed systems are transforming modern military operations. From intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and logistics to maritime security, force protection, counter-uncrewed systems and precision strike, these technologies are reshaping how militaries operate across the air, maritime and land domains.
Recent conflicts have demonstrated that operational effectiveness increasingly depends not only on developing advanced capabilities, but on the ability to rapidly experiment, procure, integrate and deploy them as part of a connected, resilient and interoperable force.
Canada is responding to this transformation through initiatives such as the Defence Industrial Strategy, Defence Drone Initiative, Canadian Army's MINERVA Initiative, National Research Council's Drone Innovation Hub, Defence Research and Development Canada's BOREALIS innovation ecosystem, and the Defence Investment Agency.
Hosted by the NATO Association of Canada, The Autonomous Battlespace Conference: Transforming Canada's Future Force will bring together senior leaders from the Canadian Armed Forces, Government of Canada, defence industry, academia and the research community to examine how Canada can accelerate the development and operational integration of autonomous capabilities.
Through an opening keynote or fireside chat, four thematic panels, industry partner presentations and networking opportunities, the conference will explore the operational requirements, technological developments and partnerships shaping Canada's future force.
Particular attention will be given to C5ISR(T), artificial intelligence, resilient communications, Pan-Domain Command and Control (PDC2), and digital integration — the capabilities required to connect autonomous systems across the joint force.
Conference Agenda
- 8:30 – 9:15 a.m. | Registration and Networking
- 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks
- 9:30 – 10:00 a.m. | Opening Keynote or Fireside Chat: Building Canada's Autonomous Defence Ecosystem
- 10:05 – 11:05 a.m. | Panel One: Air Power Through Autonomy
- 11:05 – 11:30 a.m. | Networking Break
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Panel Two: Autonomous Maritime Operations: Securing Canada's Maritime Future
- 12:30 – 1:40 p.m. | Networking Lunch
- 1:40 – 1:50 p.m. | Presenting Partner Keynote Address
- 1:55 – 2:55 p.m. | Panel Three: Transforming Land Warfare: Autonomous Systems on the Modern Battlefield
- 2:55 – 3:20 p.m. | Networking Break
- 3:20 – 4:20 p.m. | Panel Four: Connecting the Autonomous Force: C5ISR(T) and Joint Integration
- 4:20 – 4:30 p.m. | Closing Remarks and Partner Recognition
- 4:30 – 5:00 p.m. | Networking
Conference Panels and Speakers
Opening Fireside Chat — Building Canada's Autonomous Defence Ecosystem
9:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Participants:
- Senior Government Representative — To be announced
- Eliot Pence — Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Dominion Dynamics
A moderated discussion examining how autonomous and uncrewed systems are transforming modern warfare, the lessons emerging from contemporary conflicts, and what these changes mean for Canada's defence priorities, joint operations, force development and industrial capabilities.
The conversation will explore how government, the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada's defence industry can work together to accelerate innovation, procurement and the operational integration of autonomous technologies, while strengthening Canada's domestic defence industrial base.
Panel One — Air Power Through Autonomy
10:05 – 11:05 a.m.
Moderator: Dr. Alex Salt, Triple Helix
Panellists:
- Major-General Jeff Smyth — Chief Air and Space Force Development, Royal Canadian Air Force
- Additional panellist — To be announced
- Andrew Carryer — Technical Director – Autonomous Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems - International
This panel will examine how autonomous and uncrewed systems are transforming air operations, from ISR, logistics and force protection to counter-uncrewed systems and integrated air and missile defence.
Drawing on lessons from contemporary conflicts, panellists will explore the integration of crewed and uncrewed capabilities, the role of artificial intelligence and advanced sensing, and the partnerships needed to accelerate experimentation, procurement and operational employment.
Panel Two — Autonomous Maritime Operations: Securing Canada's Maritime Future
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Moderator: Kate Todd
Panellists:
- Commodore Scott Robinson — Director General Naval Force Development, Royal Canadian Navy
- Ryan Tettamanti — Senior Director, Fleet Requirements and Support, Canadian Coast Guard
- Philip Burns-O'Brien — Chantier Davie Canada Inc.
This panel will explore how autonomous surface, subsurface and airborne systems are transforming maritime operations, including maritime domain awareness, Arctic security, mine countermeasures, surveillance and critical infrastructure protection.
The discussion will consider evolving operational requirements and how the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Coast Guard, government and industry can accelerate the development and integration of next-generation maritime capabilities.
Panel Three — Transforming Land Warfare: Autonomous Systems on the Modern Battlefield
1:55 – 2:55 p.m.
Moderator: To be announced
Panellists:
- Major-General Stéphane Masson — Director General Army Capability Development and Chief of Staff Army Strategy, Canadian Army
- Brigadier-General M.J. O'Ray — Deputy Commander, Canadian Joint Forces Command
- Brigadier-General J.C. "Jay" Guiney — Director General Operations, Strategic Joint Staff
- Josh Ogden — Co-founder & CEO AVSS
This panel will examine how autonomous and uncrewed systems are reshaping land and special operations, from tactical ISR and logistics to counter-uncrewed systems, targeting and precision strike.
Panellists will discuss lessons from contemporary conflicts, evolving operational requirements, battlefield experimentation and the rapid adoption of emerging capabilities across the Canadian Army and joint force.
Panel Four — Connecting the Autonomous Force: C5ISR(T) and Joint Integration
3:20 – 4:20 p.m.
Moderator: Bill Seymour (Ret'd Major General, Royal Canadian Air Force)
Panellists:
- Commodore M. Coates — Director General Readiness, Canadian Joint Operations Command
- Major-General Krista Brodie — Deputy Commander, Canadian Joint Forces Command
- Brigadier-General Mark Parsons — Director General Capability Development, Canadian Army
- Representative (Rheinmetall Canada) — To be announced
Autonomous capabilities cannot operate effectively in isolation. This panel will examine the C5ISR(T) capabilities required to connect autonomous systems across operational domains.
The discussion will explore artificial intelligence, resilient communications, Pan-Domain Command and Control, interoperability, data integration and the challenges of developing a connected and operationally effective joint force.
Program and speaker participation are subject to change.
About the NATO Association of Canada
Founded in 1966, the NATO Association of Canada is a NATO-affiliated, non-governmental, registered charitable organization dedicated to educating and engaging Canadians on NATO, international security, defence and Canada's role in the transatlantic Alliance.
Through conferences, seminars, publications and public engagement initiatives, the Association brings together leaders and experts from government, the Canadian Armed Forces, the diplomatic community, industry, academia and civil society to advance informed discussion on Canada's security and defence priorities.
Event venue & nearby stays
The Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Canada
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