10/09/2026
NATO’s challenge is not merely one of innovation. It is adaptation and adoption at speed.
This week, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) Admiral Pierre Vandier visited Canada, where he met with Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff General Jennie Carignan and other defence leaders to address common challenges and ways ahead within digital transformation, AI and autonomous systems, force modernization, procurement reform and defence industry integration. The visit connected foresight, experimentation, operational learning and implementation into a continuous adaptation cycle.
"In the 21st century, military advantage will belong to those who learn, adapt, and field capability the fastest. That is why Canada and NATO - Allied Command Transformation (ACT) are applying the same lesson: innovation matters, but adaptation and adoption at speed win. Speed is the decisive military advantage of our time - and action is the decisive deterrent!" - Admiral Vandier highlighted.
SACT’s visit to Canada reflected defence transformation efforts that were closely aligned with NATO ACT priorities and identified practical areas where Canada could serve as a leading NATO adaptation partner. The discussions also placed strong emphasis on Arctic security, an area of major strategic importance for both and . More broadly, the focus was not only on introducing new capabilities, but also on finding new ways of doing the job, from force design and contracting to strengthening the defence industrial ecosystem.
Future military advantage belongs to the force that learns, adapts and fields capability faster than its adversary. Canada, as an important Ally, is putting in the work to adapt, and its new initiatives, in particular on C-UAS capability, are impressive. It was also encouraging to see Canada’s work on its new Defence Industrial Strategy.
Canadian Armed Forces|Canadian Armed Forces|
Department of National Defence
