The collaboration supports Canada’s efforts to assist Ukraine and aligns with the Joint Declaration on Enhancement of the Defence and Security Cooperation between Ukraine and Canada announced on September 10, 2026.
49North’s ability to manage complex defence programs and provide long-term engineering support complements UNWAVE’s counter-drone expertise, positioning the partners to help address Ukraine’s evolving defence requirements while strengthening industrial ties between the two countries.
With expertise in advanced sensing, secure digital mission systems and in-service support, 49North draws on more than five decades of trusted Canadian defence delivery and prime contractor execution. That includes nearly two decades of military drone delivery including the provision of Heron uncrewed aerial systems for Canadian operations in Afghanistan and drone services supporting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations in Ukraine. This operational experience provides a foundation for integrating and sustaining C-UAS technologies in demanding environments.
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“Keeping pace with evolving drone threats requires engineering, integration and sustained support to keep technology relevant. By leveraging UNWAVE’s counter-drone expertise and 49North’s defence capabilities, we see an opportunity to advance joint production and support systems that address Ukraine’s evolving needs. This partnership builds on our history of supporting Ukraine with Canadian technology and gives us a path to deepen that contribution.”
– Joe Armstrong, President, 49North