China currently controls 54% of cobalt production and 80% of refinement. The defence industrial base runs on cobalt and other rare earth elements. Fortress North America must continue to secure its supply chain if we are to have any chance of meeting the technological demands and geopolitical challenges of the 21st century.

If you think drones are changing the game now....just wait.

Seriously though, China... chill.

"Ultimately, what will be paramount is for the DND to translate this testing and interest into concrete orders to acquire a variety of counterdrones systems. Only then will Canada be ready to protect soldiers from the imminent threat posed by drones." Translation: This is meaningless until DND operationalizes new capabilities. Facta non verba.

Let's not forget that Canada continues to offer strategic value to our allies. But also all the more reason to maintain and expand our ability to produce ships on time, and on budget - no small feat.

Do you think Liberal or Conservative voters believe we have no choice but to spend more on defence? Feelings about Canadian defence spending are...complicated... Leaders from all parties must explain not just why investing in defence is vital, but also what sacrifices we must collectively make for the defence of the realm, our alliances, and our democratic values.

Water is wet, ice is cold. How much longer can we keep this tech on hold?

"The Short Range Reconnaissance program remains the [US] Army’s only small-drone program of record. It has ordered 936 quadcopters from fiscal year 2023 through 2026, according to Army budget documents." Gotta pump those numbers up. Those are rookie numbers in this racket.

Hype Train, now boarding! Software may be eating the world, but hardware still wins wars. Fortunes will be made by those able to securely produce this needed hardware (and those who fund them).

You know what's cooler than drones? Cheap missiles.

The science fiction we grew up on is already here – and it's time to embrace it.