Waves of Innovation

How COVE is Driving Canada’s Defence Readiness Through Innovation and Collaboration

BY JAMES CARELESS

As Canada ramps up to meet its NATO spending commitments — 2% of GDP by the end of 2025 and 5% by 2035 — government and industry leaders are shifting how the country develops, scales, and deploys defence capabilities. In this fast-moving environment, COVE has emerged as a critical national asset. More than just a facility, it drives innovation directly into the hands of operators and decision-makers, turning potential into readiness.

Since its launch in 2018, COVE has served as a key Canadian commercialization hub for dual-use maritime technology. With a clear mandate to accelerate solutions that bolster both sovereign defence and the marine economy, COVE runs targeted programs that help Canadian technologies reach global defence markets faster and more effectively.

“Innovation today isn’t just about building tech — it’s about building capability,” said Michel Lechmann, COVE’s Vice President of Major Projects and Innovation. “We close the gap between invention and adoption, working with the right partners, infrastructure, and programs to move faster and smarter.”

READ: Cove 2025 Naval Technology Innovation Challenges Canadian SME winners selected

BUILDING CAPABILITY THROUGH PROGRAMS

COVE’s impact stems from its dynamic suite of innovation programs that match marine technology companies with operational needs, testing environments, and market opportunities. One standout example is the Naval Technology Innovation Challenges (NTIC), created in partnership with Thales Canada. This program invites Atlantic Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups to pitch solutions tailored to the Royal Canadian Navy. The program provides up to $187,500 in funding, along with hands-on support and access to defence stakeholders who help shape and scale the technologies.

The NTIC program has already produced promising prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions across domains like subsea communications, autonomous vessel management, and maritime situational awareness. COVE works closely with both innovators and naval operators to ensure each solution is built not just with technology in mind, but with direct application to current and future naval operations.

“The Challenges program proves that Canadian innovators can move fast when given the right structure and support,” said Melanie Nadeau, COVE’s Chief Executive Officer. “Now, we’re partnering with other Tier One defence contractors to apply this model across the Canadian Armed Forces.”

As an official accelerator site for NATO’s DIANA (Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) initiative, COVE plays a central role in connecting Canadian innovators to NATO’s international defence innovation ecosystem. Through DIANA, selected companies gain access to challenge-driven opportunities, testing infrastructure, and collaborative networks across allied nations.

For Canadian technologies aligned with NATO priorities, this opens valuable pathways to work with end users, validate capabilities for multinational needs, and build visibility in global defence markets. In a shifting geopolitical landscape, this international connectivity strengthens Canada’s strategic posture and ensures homegrown innovations are both relevant and export-ready.

At the same time, COVE collaborates with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to support NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command) Modernization through testing and validation services that help align emerging Canadian technologies with continental defence needs.

COLLABORATION ACROSS INDUSTRY

COVE works hand in hand with Canada’s shipbuilders, marine tech leaders, defence primes, and government innovation agencies. These partnerships ensure that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation — it feeds into the broader defence ecosystem and delivers practical outcomes.

COVE helps major contractors source solutions from Canadian innovators and enables labs to validate prototypes at pace. Its role as a neutral, trusted platform fosters collaboration, accelerates delivery, and builds confidence across the value chain. “We’re solving today’s problems, and preparing for tomorrow’s threats,” Lechmann said. “That only happens when the people building, operating, and deploying technologies collaborate directly.”

FUELING A TALENT PIPELINE

Alongside its technology programs, COVE cultivates the next generation of talent for Canada’s defence and marine sectors. By working closely with top academic institutions, workforce development initiatives, and professional networks, COVE helps build a pipeline of engineers, AI specialists, roboticists, and domain experts ready to deliver.

This talent pool gives COVE’s programs a competitive edge. The innovations that emerge don’t just function — they reflect deep operational understanding and readiness for deployment in complex environments. “Canada’s talent is one of our strongest assets,” Lechmann told CDR. “COVE helps channel that expertise into technologies that serve national defence priorities.”

ENGAGING END USERS ON THE WATER

COVE’s home on Halifax Harbour puts it right next to Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Coast Guard operations. That proximity gives innovators rare, real-time access to end users who can provide input, feedback, and live operational testing.

This unique connection to the maritime domain allows companies to test and refine their technologies in actual conditions, and to demonstrate them directly to the people who will use them. “Proximity makes a difference,” Lechmann said. “When innovators can engage with operators early and often, they deliver better, more relevant solutions.”

REMOVING BARRIERS &
SCALING SOLUTIONS

COVE provides the full suite of tools and support needed to bring innovation to market in regulated, high-stakes sectors like defence. Companies benefit from access to onshore and offshore test environments, fabrication and lab space, mentorship, venture capital networks, and export support. By offering this comprehensive support, COVE makes it easier for companies — especially small and medium-sized enterprises developing dual-use technologies — to navigate procurement systems, regulatory pathways, and global export requirements.

These wraparound services help Canadian companies lower the barriers to entry into defence markets — especially those developing dual-use technologies. With a growing network of over 400 partners worldwide, COVE has created one of Canada’s most agile and responsive defence innovation ecosystems.

POSITIONED FOR WHAT’S NEXT

As Canada invests heavily in defence modernization and prepares to meet its NATO and NORAD obligations, COVE delivers a working model of innovation that is fast, focused, and fully integrated with the nation’s strategic objectives.

COVE has proven that a coordinated national approach — one that brings together innovators, end users, researchers, and investors — can produce not just promising ideas, but deployable, export-ready solutions. Whether responding to Arctic sovereignty needs, helping NATO allies field new capabilities, or strengthening Canada’s economic resilience through dual-use innovation, COVE is positioned at the centre of a national effort to modernize defence through action, not talk.

“We don’t just talk capability — we build it,” said Nadeau. “Through collaboration, testing, and strategic investment, COVE is helping Canada lead where it counts most.”

James Careless is CDR’s Ottawa Bureau Chief