OCIANA®, the maritime intelligence platform developed by Global Spatial Technology Solutions Inc. (GSTS), headquartered in Montreal, has qualified as an eligible supplier under the Government of Canada's Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) Supply Arrangement. Announced on September 16, 2026, this qualification spans three strategic streams: Stream 2 (Digital Enablers), Stream 3 (Systems Integration), and Stream 5 (Innovation and Experimentation).
The Defence Drone Initiative
Co-led by the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Defence Investment Agency (DIA), the Defence Drone Initiative is designed to accelerate the development, testing, adaptation, and production of Canadian uncrewed and autonomous systems. The DDI also provides the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) with more flexible access to emerging technologies and operational capabilities, at a time when Canadian technological sovereignty has become a central government priority.
By achieving this qualification, OCIANA® officially joins the DDI Marketplace as an eligible supplier, opening the door to bid on future requirements in the three streams for which it qualified. This recognition positions the Montreal-based platform at the heart of Canada's emerging uncrewed systems ecosystem.
A Multi-Sensor Intelligence Platform
OCIANA®'s core strength lies in its ability to fuse intelligence from multiple simultaneous sources: spatial, terrestrial, and sensors carried aboard uncrewed vehicles (UxV). This real-time data integration gives operators a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the maritime environment to support mission planning, threat detection, and the strategic deployment of autonomous systems.
“By integrating intelligence from multiple spatial, terrestrial, and uncrewed sensors, OCIANA® can provide operators with a more complete intelligence picture to support mission planning, threat detection, and the effective deployment of uncrewed systems.” – Richard Kolacz, CEO of OCIANA®
The platform's concrete operational capabilities include: protecting uncrewed assets through broad-area monitoring of vessels and anomalous activities in their operating zone; cueing and directing uncrewed systems toward areas of interest or potential threats; ingesting and exploiting AIS, SAR, EO/IR, and RF data alongside UxV sensor feeds to create a common intelligence picture; detecting dark vessels and suspicious ship-to-ship rendezvous; and providing dynamic task assignment based on the real-time intelligence picture generated within OCIANA®.
A Strategic Position in Maritime Defence
Qualifying across three distinct DDI streams reflects the versatility and technological maturity of the OCIANA® platform. As Canada intensifies its investment in autonomous and uncrewed systems, the ability of a platform like OCIANA® to connect those systems to a broader intelligence ecosystem represents a key differentiator for the Canadian Armed Forces and the Coast Guard.
“Canada's investments in uncrewed and autonomous systems offer the opportunity to fundamentally transform the conduct of maritime operations. The value of these systems increases considerably when connected to a larger intelligence environment, such as the one OCIANA® provides.” – Richard Kolacz, CEO of OCIANA®
This qualification is part of a broader push to modernize Canada's defence capabilities, driven by the DDI and other government initiatives aimed at strengthening the domestic defence industry. For Quebec technology companies like GSTS, these programs represent a concrete opportunity to contribute to national security while developing solutions with strong international export potential.
About OCIANA®
OCIANA®, developed by Global Spatial Technology Solutions Inc. (GSTS), is a global maritime intelligence company that helps organizations move from awareness to action. In defence and security missions, OCIANA® helps teams spot behaviours that require investigation, detect threats earlier, interpret intent more quickly, and act with confidence. For maritime supply chain organizations, the platform enables smarter voyage and resource planning, reducing fuel consumption and port congestion.
Aerospace and defence professionals in Quebec can explore available career opportunities at AeroEmploi.ca.