Arctic allies explore defence technology and supply chain partnerships at Ottawa industry event.
Canada-Norway Defence Industry Day Event will be held on November 18, 2026. (File Photo)
Canada and Norway are looking to strengthen their defence-industrial relationship as growing security challenges in the Arctic and wider geopolitical environment create new demands for military capabilities, advanced technologies and resilient supply chains.
The two NATO allies will bring together government officials, defence organisations and industry representatives for the Canada–Norway Defence Industry Day, scheduled to take place in Ottawa on 18 November 2026.
The event is being organised by the Norwegian Defence and Security Industries Association (FSi), in partnership with the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI), the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa.
Its central objective is to encourage closer cooperation between Canadian and Norwegian defence companies, identify opportunities for technology partnerships and strengthen industrial links between two countries that share important strategic interests.
The gathering comes at a time when Arctic security is receiving increasing attention from NATO members, while governments are investing in military modernisation, surveillance capabilities and the protection of critical infrastructure.
But why are Canada and Norway seeking closer industrial cooperation, which technologies are likely to feature prominently, and what opportunities could the initiative create for defence companies in both countries?
Why are Canada and Norway strengthening defence cooperation?
Canada and Norway have several important characteristics in common. Both are Arctic nations, both are members of NATO, and both face security challenges associated with protecting extensive northern territories and maritime approaches.
The Arctic is becoming increasingly important in international security discussions. Changes in the geopolitical environment, growing military activity and the strategic importance of northern sea routes have increased the need for effective surveillance, communications and defence capabilities.
For countries with significant Arctic responsibilities, maintaining awareness of activities across vast and often difficult-to-access geographical areas presents considerable challenges.
Military operations in the region also require equipment capable of functioning in extreme temperatures, remote environments and demanding weather conditions.
These requirements create opportunities for cooperation between countries with similar operational needs.
Canada and Norway can potentially benefit from sharing industrial expertise, developing complementary technologies and establishing stronger supply chain relationships.
Their NATO membership provides an additional framework for cooperation, as both countries contribute to collective defence and the alliance’s wider efforts to strengthen military readiness.
The Ottawa event is intended to translate these shared strategic interests into practical industrial partnerships.
Canada and Norway look to expand defence cooperation across maritime, space and autonomous technologies.
What is the Canada–Norway Defence Industry Day?
The Defence Industry Day is designed as a platform for direct engagement between defence companies, government representatives and military procurement organisations from both countries.
Rather than focusing exclusively on political discussions, the event will emphasise commercial opportunities, procurement requirements and industrial cooperation.
A senior Norwegian delegation will be led by the Deputy National Armaments Director and is expected to include representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Defence and the Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA).
The Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) is also listed as a potential participant, although its attendance remains to be confirmed.
These organisations are important because they provide insight into Norway’s defence planning, research priorities, procurement requirements and technological development.
For Canadian companies, direct access to such representatives could help them understand how the Norwegian defence market operates and where their products and services might fit into future programmes.
The event will also provide Norwegian companies with opportunities to identify Canadian industrial partners, explore complementary capabilities and establish relationships that could develop into longer-term commercial agreements.
Understanding Norway’s defence procurement priorities
One of the main attractions for Canadian businesses will be the opportunity to learn more about Norway’s defence procurement system.
Entering a foreign defence market can be complicated. Companies need to understand procurement regulations, industrial participation requirements, qualification procedures and the technical standards expected by government customers.
The programme will therefore include a dedicated section on doing business with Norway.
This will provide practical guidance on Norwegian defence procurement processes and the opportunities available to international suppliers.
Industrial participation is particularly important in international defence cooperation. Governments often seek to ensure that major defence investments generate wider economic and technological benefits for their domestic industries.
For Canadian companies, understanding these requirements at an early stage could help them identify suitable Norwegian partners and position themselves for future opportunities.
The participation of Norwegian defence procurement representatives should also provide valuable insight into the country’s capability requirements and longer-term acquisition plans.
For Norwegian companies, the event offers an opportunity to better understand Canada’s defence priorities and identify areas where their technologies could complement Canadian capabilities.
Arctic security: A major opportunity for industrial cooperation
Arctic capabilities are expected to be one of the central themes of the event.
The region presents a unique combination of geographical, environmental and operational challenges.
Vast distances, limited infrastructure, extreme weather and difficult communications conditions make surveillance and military operations particularly demanding.
Canada and Norway therefore have shared interests in technologies that can improve their ability to monitor and operate across northern environments.
Potential areas of industrial cooperation include surveillance systems, maritime monitoring, advanced communications, autonomous platforms and equipment designed for challenging environmental conditions.
Both countries also have interests in protecting maritime approaches and ensuring that military forces can operate effectively in northern waters.
For defence manufacturers, these shared requirements could create opportunities to develop specialised equipment and integrate complementary technologies into broader systems.
Cooperation could also help companies access expertise that would be expensive or time-consuming to develop independently.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (L) at CANSEC 2026. (File Photo).
Maritime and undersea systems take centre stage
Maritime and undersea capabilities are another important area identified for discussion.
Both Canada and Norway have extensive maritime interests and rely on effective monitoring of their surrounding waters.
Protecting maritime infrastructure, monitoring shipping activity and maintaining awareness of underwater environments are increasingly important elements of national security.
Undersea systems can support a range of military and security activities, including maritime surveillance, infrastructure monitoring and the protection of strategically important assets.
The growing importance of subsea infrastructure, particularly communications cables and energy-related installations, also makes underwater monitoring a significant industrial priority.
Companies operating in areas such as sensors, underwater robotics, autonomous maritime platforms and specialised communications could find opportunities for collaboration.
The event is expected to encourage discussions on how Canadian and Norwegian businesses can combine their expertise to address these requirements.
Autonomous systems, surveillance and space technologies
Beyond traditional defence equipment, the Ottawa programme will examine several emerging technology areas.
Autonomous systems are becoming increasingly important in modern military operations. These technologies can support surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics and other activities, particularly in environments where sending personnel may be difficult or expensive.
For Arctic operations, autonomous platforms could offer particular value because of the distances involved and the challenges associated with maintaining a continuous human presence.
Surveillance technology is another priority. Modern defence organisations increasingly depend on information gathered from multiple sources to maintain an understanding of their operating environment.
Space technologies also have an important role, particularly in communications, navigation, environmental monitoring and the collection of information over large geographical areas.
For Canada and Norway, these capabilities are relevant to both national security and wider NATO operations.
The Defence Industry Day will provide a forum for companies to present their solutions and explore opportunities to integrate their technologies into future defence programmes.
Building more resilient defence supply chains
Another important objective is strengthening industrial supply chain cooperation.
Recent international developments have highlighted the risks associated with excessive dependence on limited suppliers, vulnerable transport routes and concentrated manufacturing capabilities.
Defence industries require reliable access to specialised components, materials, electronics, software and production capacity.
Disruptions can affect equipment availability, maintenance schedules and the ability of armed forces to sustain their capabilities.
By developing stronger commercial relationships, Canada and Norway could help create more resilient supply chains and improve access to complementary industrial expertise.
For smaller and medium-sized defence companies, international partnerships can provide opportunities to enter new markets, participate in larger programmes and establish relationships with established manufacturers.
The event’s emphasis on long-term collaboration is therefore particularly relevant. The aim is not simply to create short-term commercial contacts but to encourage partnerships that could contribute to future defence projects.
B2B Meetings
One of the most practical elements of the programme will be pre-arranged business-to-business meetings between Canadian and Norwegian companies.
These meetings are intended to connect businesses with complementary products, technologies and industrial capabilities.
For example, a company specialising in surveillance technology may find opportunities to work with a partner offering communications systems, sensors or specialised manufacturing capabilities.
Similarly, a Norwegian defence manufacturer may identify a Canadian supplier capable of supporting production, integration or maintenance activities.
Such relationships can be important when companies seek to participate in international procurement programmes that require a combination of technologies and industrial expertise.
The pre-arranged format is intended to make these discussions more focused and productive by bringing together organisations with potentially compatible interests.
The day will conclude with a networking reception hosted by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Ottawa, providing additional opportunities for discussions with government officials and industry representatives.
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Nato defence industry cooperation.
Wider NATO defence industry cooperation
The Canada–Norway initiative reflects a broader trend towards greater industrial cooperation among NATO members.
As alliance members increase their attention to defence readiness and military modernisation, the ability to produce, maintain and supply advanced equipment has become an increasingly important consideration.
Industrial cooperation can help reduce duplication, improve access to specialist technologies and strengthen the ability of allied countries to support one another.
It can also create opportunities for businesses to participate in international supply chains rather than relying exclusively on domestic procurement markets.
For Canada and Norway, closer cooperation is particularly logical because of their shared Arctic responsibilities and complementary industrial capabilities.
However, the success of such partnerships will depend on more than initial meetings. Companies will need to overcome regulatory, commercial and technical challenges, while governments must establish procurement conditions that support effective cross-border cooperation.
The Defence Industry Day on 18 November 2026 represents an opportunity to move Canada–Norway defence cooperation towards more practical industrial engagement.
The presence of senior Norwegian defence representatives, procurement officials and industry organisations should provide Canadian businesses with a clearer understanding of Norway’s requirements and potential areas for cooperation.
For Norwegian companies, the event offers access to Canada’s defence industry and an opportunity to identify partners in a market with significant strategic interests in the Arctic.
Further information on the programme, participating companies and arrangements for B2B meetings will be provided to registered participants.
Ultimately, the importance of the initiative lies in its potential to connect two closely aligned NATO allies through stronger industrial relationships.
As Arctic security, maritime surveillance, autonomous technologies and supply chain resilience become increasingly important, Canada and Norway have strong incentives to work together.
The Ottawa meeting may be a single-day event, but its broader ambition is considerably larger: to build lasting industrial partnerships that strengthen the defence capabilities, technological expertise and economic competitiveness of both countries.
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