Strengthening Atlantic Canada’s defence capabilities in Dartmouth
Press Release
March 16, 2026 · Dartmouth, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The world is changing rapidly. The international rules-based order is fading, and technological change is expanding the fields of conflict. The Government of Canada is responding by rebuilding and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces and strengthening the defence industrial base. Through Canada’s first Defence Industrial Strategy, the government is aligning long-term defence investments with industrial capability to support Canadian businesses, strengthen supply chains, and reinforce Canada’s role as a trusted ally. These generational investments will modernize Canada’s defence ecosystem, create good, well-paying jobs, and ensure the Canadian Armed Forces have the equipment they need to keep Canada safe, and sovereign.
In Atlantic Canada, this includes targeted investments that are strengthening Nova Scotia’s aerospace and defence sector by supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and building long-term industrial capacity.
Today, The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, announced a federal investment under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) and the Regional Tarriff Response Initiative (RTRI) to support three companies in Dartmouth ($3,251,398).
These investments will support MilAero Electronics Atlantic Inc., GSTS and Survival Systems Limited with new equipment purchases, cutting-edge technology development and testing, specialized software implementation, facility expansion and workforce expansion. These activities will enable the companies to scale up operations, boost production capacity, and respond to growing market demand.
As a pillar of Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, the RDII is building a strong, resilient defence industrial base by helping small and medium-sized businesses scale up, adopt advanced technologies, and integrate into domestic and international defence and security supply chains. These investments are strengthening Atlantic Canada’s industrial capacity, growing Nova Scotia’s role in Canada’s defence industry, and ensuring Canada has the capabilities it needs to respond to evolving global security challenges while supporting long-term economic growth.
This announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
Quotes
“Good jobs here at home and Nova Scotia helping build the future of Canada’s Armed Forces. That is the real impact of this investment. We could not be prouder of the role Nova Scotia is playing in strengthening Canada’s defence capabilities. Through Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, local companies are growing, innovating, and building more of what Canada needs at home to stay secure, sovereign, and economically strong.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
“Atlantic Canada has a strong culture of innovation, and our region is playing an important role in building Canada’s defence industrial base. Investments in leaders like MilAero, GSTS, and Survival Systems will strengthen Canada’s defence capabilities while creating good jobs in Dartmouth—Cole Harbour and building on the talent and expertise we have here in Atlantic Canada.”
The Honourable Darren Fisher, Member of Parliament for Dartmouth—Cole Harbour
“This is good for MilAero, but it’s also good for Nova Scotia. When we invest in people, training, and new capabilities, we’re not just growing our company, we’re helping build a stronger aerospace and defence sector right here at home.”
Paul Greedy, Founder and Co-owner of MilAero
Quick facts
MilAero is a CCIB-Certified Indigenous Business and female-owned SME specializing in high-performance electrical assemblies for aerospace, defence, marine, renewable energy, and industrial sectors. The company serves domestic and international markets, and has doubled its workforce to 60 employees in the last 12 months.
GSTS is a maritime AI company whose dual-use OCIANA platform delivers advanced risk management, intelligence, and operational optimization for defence, security, and commercial maritime sectors worldwide.
Survival Systems Limited designs and manufactures advanced safety training and simulation systems, including its globally recognized Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainers and Environmental Simulation Systems. The company serves defence, oil and gas, and training organizations worldwide.
The $379.2 million Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII) is a three-year initiative delivered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs).
Today’s announcement is part of ACOA’s $38.2 million allocation, over three years, under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII).
With more than 200 firms in the defence industry, Atlantic Canada delivers advanced shipbuilding, aircraft and engine maintenance, sonar and acoustic systems, training and simulation, ground vehicle technologies and cyber resilience.
Atlantic Canada is home to nearly 10,000 direct aerospace and defence jobs, representing 20% of national defence industry employment.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is a $1 billion national investment to help Canadian businesses respond to global trade pressures, strengthen productivity, and build long-term competitiveness.
In Atlantic Canada, ACOA is delivering $80 million under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to support small and medium-sized enterprises as they modernize operations, strengthen supply chains, and pursue new market opportunities.