The DUAL EDGE Project (Strengthening Canada’s Defence Industrial Base through Dual-Use Technology Partnerships Innovation) is a policy-oriented action research initiative led by the  Conflict and Resilience Research Institute Canada (CRRIC). Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, the project is headed by Kawser Ahmed, PhD, in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of academic advisors and research assistants.

The project is funded by the Department of National Defence’s (DND) Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) program. Its primary mandate is to generate actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations to operationalize the “Strengthening Canada’s Defence Industrial Base and Partnerships” policy challenge.

Strategic Context and Problem Statement

Canada is at a critical strategic inflection point regarding its national security and economic sovereignty. In February 2026, the Government of Canada launched its first Defence Industrial Strategy, signaling a shift toward a “Build, Partner, Buy” framework. This strategy aims to increase the share of defence contracts awarded to Canadian firms to 70 percent and expand defence exports by 50 percent.However, a critical bottleneck exists: the startup “Valley of Death.” promising dual-use technologies (technologies with both civilian and military applications) developed within Canada frequently fail to scale from research and development (R&D) and prototyping into industrial production, commercialization, and final defence procurement. This failure happens despite Canada possessing significant expertise in emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI), and autonomous systems.DUAL EDGE responds directly to this challenge by focusing on how to bridge the Valley of Death and build a robust, inclusive dual-use innovation ecosystem.

Project Scope and Methodology

The DUAL EDGE project utilizes a unique “co-creation” model that focuses action research on Manitoba’s industrial and research base as a replicable regional pilot for the national strategy. It connects Manitoba’s recognized aerospace and manufacturing strengths with emerging technology sectors and Indigenous economic development organizations.

Technology Focus Areas

The project prioritizes five dual-use capabilities identified by Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA):

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
• Quantum Technologies
• Autonomous Systems and Drones
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing

• Space and Microsatellite Technologies (e.g., University of Manitoba’s ‘Redwing’ project)