Study: Southeast Alberta could become crucial national defence hub

Medicine Hat College recently conducted a study on further developing the southeast Alberta region into a national defence innovation hub, and its findings were presented at a public webinar last week.

The theory is to combine existing assets and resources from nearby CFB Suffield, the Foremost UAS testing range, Medicine Hat Airport and local businesses investing into the defence sector, to share resources, enhance technological developments and fill in critical gaps. The region is growing immensely in drone manufacturing for military purposes.

The research team in charge of the study, recommends avoiding trying to build a hub from scratch, but rather, focus on building on existing strengths, while planning a model for attracting investment and maintaining sustainability.

Meanwhile, the College’s Centre for Innovation says they can play an important role for workforce training, business navigation services and other support services.