Advancing Industrial Defence Cooperation Between the EU and Canada: A Strategic Outlook

Against a backdrop of converging interests and parallel initiatives, this study assesses how the European Union (EU) and Canada can better coordinate and complement each other’s defence industrial efforts. Both are trying to recapitalise and innovate in defence after a long post-Cold War lull, and both face the challenge of making limited resources go farther against sophisticated adversaries. The EU brings together a sizeable collective market and advanced defence industries. Conversely, Canada brings niche technological strengths, a strong academic and start-up base, especially in AI, quantum computing, and robotics, and a unique perspective as a North American and Arctic nation. The transatlantic link is traditionally centred on the U.S. However, there is growing recognition that direct EU-Canada ties in defence and security can and should be strengthened, not only via NATO but also bilaterally. This study aims to articulate the why and how of that strengthened partnership.

The EU Delegation to Canada, under it's Policy Dialogue Support Facility project supported the  EU-Canada Security and Defence Partnership by developing this outlook study.