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Canada’s defence sector: Is your business ready?

Practical insights to help you enter, compete, and grow in defence.

Canada’s growing investment in defence is creating new opportunities across the economy.

Companies entering the sector need to understand where they fit, how to build credibility, what requirements they'll face, and whether defence aligns with their long-term strategy. Companies already operating in this space need to determine how to scale capacity, strengthen operations, fund investment, manage risk, and remain competitive as the market grows.

We help businesses navigate both. Whether you're evaluating entering the defence sector or planning your next stage of growth, we bring together strategy, compliance, operational, and financial perspectives to help you make informed decisions about what comes next.

$81.8 billion

Pledged in Canada’s 2025 federal budget to increase defence investment.

4% of GDP

Canada is on the path to achieve 4% of GDP in total defence spending by 2030.

$500 billion

Expected investment generated by Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy over the next decade.

$3 billion

Committed to Atlantic Canada to support military infrastructure.

BDO Cue & A: How Businesses Can Enter Canada’s Defense Sector

Play BDO Cue & A: How Businesses Can Enter Canada’s Defense Sector

Three considerations for businesses entering or growing in defence

Compliance

Compliance is a requirement for defence suppliers. Businesses need to understand procurement, cybersecurity, the controlled goods program, contract security, and other obligations that can affect eligibility and operations. We help businesses identify what applies, address gaps, and embed compliance as they enter or grow in defence.

Capability

Competing in defence requires operational maturity and the ability to consistently deliver quality goods and services. We help businesses strengthen their processes, systems, technology, capacity, and cost structures to pursue new opportunities and support sustainable growth.

Capital

Defence can require investment well before revenue is realized. We help businesses assess their capital needs and consider government incentives, financing, partnerships, and M&A to support market entry, increase capacity, or pursue their next stage of growth.

Insights to help you navigate Canada’s defence sector

Explore perspectives from BDO advisors and Canadian business leaders on market entry, operational readiness, compliance, capital, and long-term growth.

Is defence the right business growth strategy?

Should your business be looking at defence? Before pursuing contracts or committing capital, leadership teams need a credible view of where they fit, whether the opportunity aligns with their capabilities, and what pursuing it would require.

Read the article

Explore defence opportunities by industry

Major defence programs depend on extensive networks of businesses to manufacture products, move goods, build infrastructure, provide technology, and support complex supply chains. Explore the industries we support:

Defence news & events

Stay informed as Canada’s defence landscape evolves.

CADSI Cyber and Digital Outlook

BDO’s Rob Philpotts attended CADSI’s Cyber and Digital Outlook on Oct. 1, 2026, in Ottawa to connect with defence and security leaders on the cyber and digital issues shaping the sector.

The Globe and Mail’s National Defence: Mapping Canada’s growth strategy

BDO is sponsoring this event in Ottawa on Oct. 14, bringing together leaders to discuss Canada’s defence growth strategy. Don’t miss BDO partner Mike Abbott, who will be speaking at the event.