Calian Mobilizes Initial $100 Million to Accelerate Canada’s C5ISRT Defence Capabilities
This collective investment led by Calian VENTURES will deliver partner accessibility to a network of regional development labs to advance sovereignty, security, and modernized operational readiness
OTTAWA, Ontario, Jan. 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In response to a rapidly changing global security landscape and growing demands on Canada’s defence and Arctic sovereignty, Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), a mission-critical solutions company focused on defence, space, healthcare and other strategic critical infrastructure sectors, announces a strategic initiative to help accelerate the development and deployment of sovereign capabilities through (VENTURES), Canada’s defence innovation orchestrator.
As Canada places increasing priority on sovereign defence capability, operational readiness and long-term resilience, Calian will advance technology collaboration and mobilize funding to accelerate capability development across Canada. Funding will be drawn from multiple sources, including capital investment from VENTURES, co-development of new intellectual property from Calian alongside multiple Canadian small to mid-size enterprise (SMEs), contributions from regional investment agencies, and federal programs.
The first initiative will establish a national, sea-to-sea-to-sea network of regional development labs to accelerate the testing, validation and scaling of defence technologies developed through VENTURES. These labs will convene small and medium-sized enterprises, the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO, government, academia, and industry partners to advance innovative, interoperable solutions from concept to operational capability.
By providing VENTURES partners and defence primes with access to shared infrastructure, technical expertise and integration pathways, Calian and its partners will help Canada move faster toward its defence objectives—strengthening Arctic sovereignty, enhancing national security at scale, and modernizing the Canadian Armed Forces.
“Canada is facing a fundamentally different security environment and meeting the moment requires sustained investment, trusted partners and long-term commitment,” said Patrick Houston, Chief Executive Officer, Calian. “This investment reflects Calian’s confidence in Canada’s defence future and our responsibility as a Canadian company to help strengthen Canadian sovereignty as well as help build the Canadian defence industrial base.”
What is C5ISRT
C5ISRT—Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting—represents the modern defence architecture required to operate effectively in today’s contested, multi-domain environment. Unlike legacy C4ISR approaches, C5ISRT integrates cyber and targeting as core operational functions, enabling faster decision-making, tighter sensor-to-effect integration, and resilient operations across land, sea, air, space and cyber.
“C5ISRT is not a future concept. It is an operational requirement of today’s battlefield and for Canada to own a truly sovereign capability,” said Chris Pogue, President, Defence and Space, Calian. “Mission success now depends on integrating data, systems and people across domains and the ability to sense, decide and act with speed and precision. Through this investment we are scaling the environments, integration pathways, and partnerships needed to turn innovation into operational capability, while ensuring Canada retains trusted, sovereign control of its defence data and systems.”
Calian’s Role as Canada’s C5ISRT Leader
With more than 40 years supporting defence customers, Calian brings unmatched experience in integrating people, systems and operations across domains. Our capabilities span synthetic training, cybersecurity, space and satellite communications, systems engineering and secure-by-design C5ISRT architectures supported by Canadian-based manufacturing of GNSS and antenna manufacturing that strengthens sovereign supply and long-term sustainment of Canadian defence capabilities.
Calian’s workforce—consisting of hundreds of engineers and software developers, including many veterans who understand the operational realities of modern conflict—has delivered mission-critical capabilities where failure is not an option. That experience, combined with VENTURES’ innovation-orchestration model, is what positions Calian to lead Canada’s evolution from legacy defence systems to a fully integrated C5ISRT future.
About Calian
For over 40 years, Calian has delivered mission-critical solutions when failure is not an option. Trusted worldwide, we empower organizations in critical industries to overcome obstacles, manage risks and drive progress. By combining the expertise of our people, proven industry insight, cutting-edge technology, bold innovation and global reach, we deliver tailored solutions that solve complex challenges. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with over 6,000 people around the world, Calian’s solutions protect lives, strengthen security, foster global connectivity and drive economic progress, making a lasting impact where and when it matters most.
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DISCLAIMER
Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Company’s most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.
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