U of A’s defence research makes uncertain times clearer

Canada is upgrading their defences with help from University of Alberta and others across Canada and Alberta. Recently, the U of A announced that it has launched a defence research initiative with a grant of $3 million. Back in early March, the U of A signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of Queensland for defence-related research. Since then, though, many of those ideas have turned into actions.

The federal government has given the grant to the U of A through the Dual-use Ecosystem for Future Engineering, National Defence, and Sovereignty (DEFENDS). The goal of this group is to provide research on enhancing defence systems for both military and civilian applications. The money U of A received is part of a larger Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII). Alberta and Canada will see many of these projects sprout up. This is especially true with the needed five per cent gross domestic product (GDP) in defence spending Canada needs to hit — an agreement made at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) 2025 summit. Canada and Alberta are working on large projects that are expected to pay off in the future.

NATO countries needed to hit this two per cent by 2025 with a later goal of five per cent by 2035. This defence research is simply furthering Canada to that five per cent. The goal of this initiative is to, if anything, increase security for countries. But, another part of it is also remaining cautious of an uncertain future. 

The world is currently on edge with the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump launching a war upon Iran. But, Canada is staying out of it. Our Department of National Defence has put out a statement stating that Canada will have no part in this war the U.S. has started. There are a few dozen Canadian troops deployed in Iran, but they have remained out of the conflict. And while it may feel easy to correlate the Iran war with an increase in defence research, it is anything but the truth.

Correlation does not mean causation. RDII was established at the end of 2025 and has a more federal approach to defence spending. This project is much bigger than Alberta and U of A. While U of A will remain a great part of the process, there is a grand total of $358 million being invested nationwide over three years. And this expenditure is to grow that two per cent GDP to five by 2035. 

While the GDP of Canada increases, this also means more jobs. One of the great things that comes from this investment is the amount of jobs it supports. Roughly 81,000 jobs are supported in this area. Overall, there is a lot in this project that is for the greater good. But, remaining aware of what’s happening in our world should still remain as the most important issue.

Reading into this investment anymore than a response to NATO needs would be wrong. Correlating this research to the Iran war would also be wrong. The goal of this project the U of A is taking on is more than Trump’s war with Iran and more than a simple MoU with UQ. The world is — as it’s been said many times before — in a state of great change and uncertainty. This research is nothing more than preparation for times unknown and remaining wary in uncertain times.