Aerospace & Defence

Build. Test. Fly.

Medicine Hat-based aerospace and defence companies are strategically positioned between Canadian Forces Base Suffield, Defence and Research Development Canada, and Canada’s first Transport Canada-approved beyond-line-of-sight UAV range.

Offering no equipment tax, 330 days of sunshine, and affordable greenfield airside and groundside development opportunities at the Regional Airport, Medicine Hat is a prime location to build, test and fly, in Canada.

Aerospace and defence companies can take advantage of two globally competitive ranges, federal and provincial innovation fund programs, and talent to compete in a global market. 

Reports and Resources

Read the BREIS State of the Industry report on Aviation, Aerospace and Defence

View the in-depth report

View the Southeast Alberta Aerospace and Defence map

View the map

Discover why Southeast Alberta is the Corner of Opportunity

View the information card

“Medicine Hat is the best location in Canada to build, test and fly unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).”

Vladimir Mravcak
President, Atlantis Research Lab

Sector Spotlight

Canada’s largest military training ground offers the opportunity to test UAVs from surface to unlimited altitude. CFB Suffield controls 2,700 square kilometers of restricted airspace, making it the largest live-fire testing area in the Commonwealth.

Canada’s only BVLOS restricted airspace is located 100 km southwest of Medicine Hat at the Foremost UAS Test Range. The 2,400 square kilometres of controlled airspace provides companies with the ability to test technology (3,000-foot paved runway, 90% VFR weather, 0.62 population density/km).

Medicine Hat produces more drones than any other region in Canada with industry leading companies such as UVAD and QinetiQ leading the way in the local development and production of UAV and RPAS.

Fly with us.

Affordable airside development, access to thousands of square kilometers of restricted defence and UAV ranges, experienced manufacturing, engineering, and trade expertise. Medicine Hat is Canada’s Defence and UAV Hub.  

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A Growing Industry Cluster

Medicine Hat aerospace and defence companies are part of a growing industry cluster strategically positioned between Canadian Forces Base Suffield (Defence and Research Development Canada), and Canada’s first beyond-line-of-sight UAV range in Foremost. This enables rapid research, design, and testing of aerospace and defence equipment, particularly UAV and RPAS.

Local high growth industry opportunities include:

  • BVLOS testing, validation, and Transport Canada certification via the Foremost Test Range.
  • Partnerships on UAV research, design, software, testing, and integration.
  • RPAS research and development collaboration with DRDC on defense applications.
  • CUAS prototyping and testing at DRDC Suffield’s controlled live-fire and/or chemical environments.
  • Partnerships to supply sensors, radar, and intercept technologies.
  • Innovations to aircraft training and aircraft protocols and equipment with local virtual, augmented and mixed reality initiatives.

Competitive Advantages

World-Class Aerospace and Defence Resources

Southern Alberta offers some of the best aerospace and defence resources and infrastructure in all of Canada:

  • Growing industry cluster with a high production volume of drones/UAVs 
  • CFB Suffield is Canada's largest military training facility and one of the largest in North America
  • 5,100 km2 of Class F restricted airspace between CFB Suffield and the Foremost Test Range
  • Regional airport with an on-site fire hall equipped for aircraft emergencies 
  • The Foremost UAS Test Range is the only BVLOS restricted airspace in Canada 
  • 330+ sunny days per year offer the ideal conditions for training and test flights

Strategically located between two world-class research and development institutions with expansive restricted airspace, it's clear that Medicine Hat offers a uniquely advantaged environment for aerospace and defence innovation.

You're in Good Company

Here's a look at just a few of the amazing companies you'd join in our growing aerospace and defence industry cluster:

CBC's Landing Zones x UVAD Segment

CBC’s Erin Collins explains how a history of economic adversity paved the way for a resilient and persistent city. As part of that story, Collins spoke to Spencer Collins, the CEO of Landing Zone Canada, about their push to bring drone and aerospace production back to Canada.

Aerospace segment lasts from from 3:10 - 4:23

Watch the full segment on YouTube

Contact Us

533 First Street SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 0A9
403-977-0146
Email Us