In Canada, the Department of National Defence (DND) is in charge of all defence and national security matters. Along with the Canadian Forces, the DND is responsible for ensuring the population’s safety against possible threats. Therefore, Canada is involved in several operations to support its allies and is an active participant in UN missions. The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces must also support security efforts on major international event taking place on Canadian soil (Vancouver 2010, meetings of world leaders, etc.).

Canada’s defence strategy 'Canada First' led the government to identify three priorities for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces:

It can be difficult for a new organization or a SME to position itself in the defence sector. Technopôle Defence and Security’s goal is to give its members privileged access to this unique market and to identify business opportunities for your organization.

Acquisitions and Industrial Benefits

With DND’s 'Canada First' defence strategy, several equipment acquisition have been made, with a price tag of (worth) billions of dollars (strategic and tactic transportation aircrafts from the American organizations Boeing and Lockheed-Martin, artillery canon from the Britain company BAE Systems, etc.).

Canada has a specific policy to manage acquisitions of $ 100 million or more, identified as 'Major Crown Projects'. The Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) policy, under Industry Canada’s management, states that when a contract of this importance is given to an organization, they must invest the equivalent amount in Canada’s economy. Therefore, a company needs an IRB plan when they submit a proposal for one of these major contracts. In order to elaborate an efficient plan, the company must have a perfect understanding of the Canadian industrial and technological base.

That is when Technopôle Defence and Security comes into play. By organizing industry days, company visits and international missions, TDS helps innovative Canadian companies to enter the production chain of foreign integrators, at the same time helping them to comply with IRB requirements.