Directorate of Military Assistance Coordination hosts Cross-Cutting Drone Capability Coalition international event in support of Ukraine

April 9, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:40

Despite the freezing rain, over 90 participants from 20 nations converged on Ottawa in early March to attend the Cross-CuttingDrone Capability Coalition (DCC) Steering Group, hosted by the Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)'s Directorate of Military Assistance Coordination (DMAC).

As part of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group construct, the DCC works to deliver robust drone and counter-dronecapabilities to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as it continues its fight against Russia's war of aggression. Canada has been an active member of the DCC since its inception and leads the Joint Ventures Working Group (JVWG). The JVWG is nested within the Coalition and supports efforts to pair European and Canadian companies with Ukrainian drone and component manufacturers.

As host to the 6th Steering Group meeting - that included Policy Directors from across Allied and partner nations - DMAC organizers leveraged the opportunity to facilitate cross-cuttingdiscussions with representatives of the Electronic Warfare, Information Technology, Integrated Air and Missile Defence (IAMD), and Maritime Capability Coalitions on drone and counter-dronecapabilities in support of Ukraine. Notably, this was the first event that featured the participation of multiple Capability Coalitions since their inception in 2023.

Over the course of the two-dayevent, each of the Capability Coalitions provided a rundown of their work to date, while the cross-cuttingdiscussions identified opportunities to enhance collaboration and identify gaps and overlaps between the groups. The DCC also held its quarterly Steering Group meeting that included remarks delivered virtually by Ukraine's Deputy Minister of Defence for European Integration, Sergiy Boyev, as well as the Commander of Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), Major Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, who provided an overview of the notable gains that the USF has achieved against Russia over the past three months.

The event also welcomed Defence Team representatives from the Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), the Canadian Army, the Canadian Forces Intelligence Command, Cyber Command, Defence Research and Development Canada, the Strategic Joint Staff, and the Royal Canadian Navy.

In addition to opportunities for networking, several participants took in a Senators vs. Canadiens hockey match - a first for many!

Overall, the event enabled a greater understanding of the significant work underway across the Coalitions and reinforced Canada's steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine while demonstrating its solid reputation as a reliable international partner.