Featured speaker – Major General Jeff Smyth
February 19th, 2026 – 1:30pm – 3:00pm ET
In a climate of geopolitical pressure, emerging threats and need for next-generation defence capabilities, the Government of Canada has prioritized NATO spending requirement and the modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces. As Canada looks to fulfill this commitment, what is the role for Canada’s aerospace ecosystem?
As Canada looks to fulfill this commitment, what is the role for Canada’s aerospace ecosystem?
Attendees joined DAIR as we hosted a discussion featuring Major General Jeff Smyth, RCAF Chief Air and Space Force Development and Major General (ret.) Scott Clancy, former RCAF Director of Operations for NORAD and member of the DAIR Board of Directors.
- An overview of the Canadian threat landscape and the Royal Canadian Air Force’s modernization priorities, including air, space and infrastructure capabilities
- North American Aerospace Defence Command’s evolving mission and modernization, with capability priorities driven by operational necessity
- Requirements from industry (primes and SMEs)
- Opportunities to enhance collaboration between Department of National Defence, industry and academia
- How industry could better align development timelines with Royal Canadian Air Force and North American Aerospace Defence Command needs
- Key signals industry should have watched for over the next 1–3 years
Webinar Takeaway:
This event offered a practical and strategic perspective on how modernization priorities were being defined and translated into real capability requirements. Attendees left with a clearer understanding of operational drivers, industry expectations and collaboration pathways that could help inform near-term planning and long-term investment decisions.