With its highly skilled workforce, its dynamic research-and-development infrastructure and its wide array of related businesses and industries, Ottawa has become a leader in the development of innovative aerospace and defence-related applications. Ottawa’s aerospace and defence industry is home to over 165 companies employing in excess of 10,100 people.

Outstanding Knowledge and Expertise

Offering a dynamic cluster of related industries that has evolved over the past five decades, Ottawa provides an environment for your business that boasts an extensive network of aerospace and defence enterprises including such notable companies as Allen-Vanguard, Lockheed-Martin, General Dynamics, and Entrust. As a G8 capital city and the home of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, the Department of National Defence, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, Ottawa has a solid base of defence and security knowledge.

Combined with the largest concentration of scientists and researchers in Canada, Ottawa has the business infrastructure, the resources and the knowledge base to help you succeed. It’s a unique and dynamic environment where ground-breaking knowledge and hard-earned expertise from both the public and private sectors combine to produce worldclass aerospace and defence goods and services.

The Ottawa Security Cluster is a group of companies and organizations that have come together to have the economic strength of the cluster recognized and to fully capture its growth potential. By providing opportunities for networking, guest speaker presentations, and trade missions (both incoming and outgoing), OSC is committed to helping Ottawa companies attract investment, access foreign markets, and attract employees and business opportunities locally and internationally.

Ottawa provides businesses locating here with access to a valuable aerospace and defence community. Products, services and areas of expertise already developed or established in Ottawa include, but are not limited to:

• Surveillance Technology and Sensors
• Command and Control Software Systems
• Communications Interoperability technologies
• Unmanned Vehicles/Robotics
• Applications or products related to Transportation Security, First Responder Community, and Port Security
• Land vehicle design, sub-systems, manufacturing and support
• Air vehicle design, sub-systems, manufacturing and support
• IT Security
• Consulting
• Personal Protection Solutions
• Physical Security Solutions

The industrial base is supported by outstanding research institutions such as:

Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC)
Defence R&D Canada is an agency of the Canadian Department of National Defence that responds to the scientific and technological needs of the Canadian Forces to ensure that the Canadian Forces remains scientifically and operationally relevant

NRC – Center for Surface Transportation Technology (CSTT)
For more than 35 years, the Centre for Surface Transportation Technology has served Canada’s Department of National Defence and commercial defence clients as a vehicle and component test centre.

DRDC – Canadian Police Research Centre (CPRC)
The Canadian Police Research Centre has been instrumental in helping Canada build a distinguished record of increasing public safety through science and technology, across Canada and abroad.

Carleton University’s Center for Defence and Security Studies
The Centre for Security and Defence Studies (CSDS) at The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), Carleton University, is recognised for its advanced research; conference, workshop and guest lecture programs; graduate and undergraduate education; and public outreach programs on security and defence issues in the Ottawa community and across Canada.

University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa’s Engineering, Center for International Policy Studies and the Public and International Affairs programs provides significant research for the Defense and Security sector.

Company Case Studies and Testimonials – Ottawa Defence and Security Industry

• March Networks
• DEW Engineering and Development Corp.
• Neptec Design Group Ltd.
• Senstar Corp.
• SkyWave Mobile Communications Inc.

Additional Resources

Public Safety Canada
Public Safety Canada (PS) was created in 2003 to ensure coordination across all federal departments and agencies responsible for national security and the safety of Canadians.

Communications Security Establishment Canada
The Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC) is Canada’s national cryptologic agency. They provide the Government of Canada with two key services: foreign signals intelligence in support of defence and foreign policy, and the protection of electronic information and communication.

Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries
CADSI’s business association represents over 860 member companies who are essential contributors to Canada’s national defence and security and generate over 10 billion dollars to the Canadian economy every year. Their website provides valuable information on our member companies, as well as the various programs, services and initiatives CADSI provides.

Directory of Capabilities
Ottawa Defence & Security Industry
Download the Defence & Security Capability Guide