Instead, it needs to connect defence, industry, research institutions and support organizations to help move technology from development through testing, commercialization and eventual adoption by defence users.
“Proximity does not create a hub,” Rai said during the presentation.
She identified three conditions needed for a successful hub:
Scale
Proximity
Interdependence
Rather than relying on a specific number of companies or organizations, Rai said scale comes from having enough capability and connectivity within a region.
Interdependence can include shared suppliers, talent, research, infrastructure and training.
The research recommends regions build on the ecosystems they already have, strengthen existing connections and address specific gaps rather than attempting to create entirely new systems.
For Southeast Alberta, the presentation pointed to several existing assets, including Canadian Forces Base Suffield and Defence Research and Development Canada Suffield, the Foremost UAS testing range, Medicine Hat Regional Airport, uncongested airspace, an industrial and manufacturing base, UAV companies and regional research partnerships.
Rai said the opportunity is to connect those assets rather than treating them as separate pieces.
The research also identified changes that could help Canadian companies, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, move into the defence sector more easily.
Recommendations included creating clearer entry points into defence procurement, helping companies navigate security clearances, cybersecurity and certifications, bringing defence end-users into conversations earlier, and making testing and demonstrations easier.
The presentation also called for regional connectors or liaisons to help businesses navigate the defence system and connect them with the appropriate departments and organizations.
Those challenges were reinforced during a panel discussion featuring Lisa Galecki, Michael Onieu and Dylan Richards.
Richards pointed to bureaucracy and paperwork as challenges for small businesses, along with difficulties accessing investment in Alberta and navigating security clearances and other requirements to enter the defence ecosystem.
Galecki said companies often struggle to understand defence procurement pathways and entry points, while specialized talent shortages and limited access to defence end-users can also slow technology development.
Onieu identified the procurement process itself as a major barrier, citing its many steps and committees, as well as compliance requirements, security clearances and the regular rotation of military personnel that can force businesses to rebuild relationships every two to three years.
The panel also discussed the potential role of a regional hub, with Onieu suggesting it could act as a “concierge” to help companies navigate procurement and connect with government departments, while also providing secure space for research and testing.
Richards said the region could bring together existing assets including Suffield, Foremost, Medicine Hat College and local companies, while Galecki said the hub should focus on connecting existing resources and filling critical gaps rather than duplicating work already being done.