DEFSEC Atlantic 2026
PRESENTED BY
HALIFAX CONVENTION CENTRE :: HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA :: OCTOBER 6 – 8, 2026
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Presentation Series
Last Revised October 2, 2026
All presentations and keynotes this year will take place in the ACADA Presentation Pavilion located on the Ballroom Level of the Halifax Convention Centre. The Speakers in the Presentation Series will be posted here as they are confirmed in the time leading up to the event. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact us.
Wed, Oct 7 - 9:30 am to 10:00 am
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Canada does not lack defence innovation. The challenge is connecting sovereign technologies to legacy and emerging systems, validating them against mission requirements and scaling them toward operational use at the pace technology and threats are changing. This presentation will show how Calian VENTURES, the Northstar Defence Lab and Calian ATHORA™ create a pathway from Canadian innovation to integrated system-of-systems capability. It will also examine how Canadian innovators, defence OEMs, solutions partners and technology providers can work together to strengthen sovereignty, allied interoperability and operational readiness. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 10:10 am to 11:10 am
| Moderator: Kate Cavallaro (Director, Policy and Impact - Innovation Solutions Canada | Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada) Panelists: Dominique Kowlessar, CD (Director, Marine Industrial and Technological Benefits - Defence Investment Agency) Commander Greg Zuliani (Capital Programme Coordinator - Royal Canadian Navy) Kevin Dunn, P.Eng. (Engineer and Operations, Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hubs - BOREALIS Joint Program Office | Defence Research and Development Canada) Martin Richard (Director, Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering and Defence Lead - National Research Council Canada) |
| This panel will explore how maritime capabilities move from operational requirements through research, experimentation, innovation, and ultimately adoption. Bringing together representatives from across the defence ecosystem, the discussion will highlight how government, the military, and innovation organizations work together to advance capabilities that address operational needs. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 11:20 am to 11:50 am
| Presenter: Raj Cherchattil (IBM Distinguished Engineer & CTO, Canadian Federal Government - IBM Canada) |
| As threats evolve faster than traditional defence software delivery cycles, Naval forces and allied defence organizations face a critical challenge: turning frontline operational insight into secure, mission-ready capability at the speed of relevance. This keynote explores a sovereign, human-governed AI delivery model that enables sailors, mission planners, and engineers to rapidly move from operational requirements to deployable solutions in instead of years - while maintaining full human oversight, defence-grade security, and complete traceability. Attendees will gain practical insight into how sovereign AI, hybrid cloud, and open, interoperable architectures can strengthen operational readiness, accelerate capability delivery, and support Canada’s vision for secure, modern maritime defence. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Description to be posted shortly. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm
| Moderator: Ben Valcour (Senior Program Manager - Thales) Panelists: Heaton Rosborough (President - Rosborough Boats) Drew Moores (General Sales Manager - Hawboldt Industries) |
| A discussion with Thales, Rosborough Boats and Hawboldt Industries. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 2:10 pm to 3:10 pm
| Presenter(s): Wendy Hadwen (Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy-Industry - Department of National Defence) |
| Description to be posted shortly. |
Wed, Oct 7 - 3:20 pm to 3:50 pm
| Presenter: Anthony Zacharewych (Director, International Business Development - Leonardo DRS) |
| Leonardo DRS will discuss worldwide naval and maritime themes, with a focus on sovereign capability, trusted execution, and mission-critical technology integration. Canada is well positioned to support future fleet modernization efforts through scalable, low-risk solutions tailored to evolving global needs. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 9:30 am to 10:00 am
| Presenters: James Kesten (Director Venture Growth - COVE) Lee Vessey (Digital Strategy and Analysis - Thales Canada) |
| COVE and Thales Canada invite you to meet the winners of the 2026 Naval Technology Innovation Challenges. This program creates unique opportunities for Atlantic Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises to develop innovative technologies addressing real-world naval challenges. These solutions are a fast-track collaboration to accelerate innovative maritime capability advantage to Canada. Hear directly from the winners of two challenge streams: - Strong @ Sea – Innovating Resilience and Safety in Ships - Mastering the Arctic Environment Supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), these challenges provide successful participants with $187,500 in non-dilutive funding to develop and validate solutions alongside direct end-user input. Join James Kesten, Director Venture Growth at COVE, and Lee Vessey, Digital Strategy and Analysis at Thales Canada, for this engaging session highlighting innovation aligned with naval operational priorities and collaboration across industry and end users. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 10:10 am to 10:55 am
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Description to be posted shotly. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 11:05 am to 11:20 am
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Description to be posted shortly. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 11:30 am to 12:00 pm
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Description to be posted shortly. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Description to be posted shortly. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm
| Presenters: James Kesten (Director Venture Growth - COVE) Matthew Owens (Maritime Canada General Manager - L3Harris) |
| COVE and L3Harris invite DEFSEC Atlantic attendees to learn about a new industry challenge focused on Modular Mission Payload Kits. This challenge seeks innovative solutions for rapidly installable, powered, connected, and maintainable mission kits that allow capabilities to adapt quickly for diverse roles—without permanent redesign. Potential kit applications range from Arctic environmental monitoring and uncrewed system support to maritime domain awareness. The session will detail how small and medium enterprises can develop modular payload solutions that emphasize standardized interfaces, operator ease, cybersecurity, and sustainable support. James Kesten from COVE and Matthew Owens from L3Harris will explain the opportunity, how to apply, and the pathway to prototype demonstration and future shipboard trials. This challenge offers a unique chance to contribute to mission flexibility and cutting-edge maritime technology. |
Thu, Oct 8 - 2:10 pm to 2:40 pm
| Presenter(s): TBC |
| Description to be posted shortly. |
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