FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pfaff Defense Advances National UAV Capability in Collaboration with Forward Robotics
Toronto, ON | January 20, 2026
Pfaff Technologies, through its newly established Pfaff Defense division, has advanced to the next phase of a Government of Canada defence innovation program in collaboration with Forward Robotics. This milestone reflects Pfaff Defense’s expanding role in delivering advanced manufacturing solutions aligned with Canadian defence and security priorities.
Pfaff Defense was formally launched to support defence and aerospace programs through advanced composite manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and precision fabrication. Its capabilities support applications including lightweight UAV structures, protective enclosures for sensitive electronics, structural components for ground and maritime platforms, payload housings, and modular composite assemblies designed for rapid deployment and harsh operating environments.
Progression within the Government of Canada’s Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) Drone Challenge provides third-party validation of these capabilities against operational requirements defined by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. The program evaluates innovation potential, technical feasibility, manufacturability, and relevance to real-world defence use cases.
“Our team is proud to continue advancing in this highly competitive program,” said Chris Pfaff, Founder and Chairman of Pfaff Technologies. “The IDEaS Challenge gives Canadian companies the opportunity to demonstrate meaningful defence capability. Through Pfaff Defense, we are focused on delivering robust, scalable manufacturing solutions that can move efficiently from prototype to operational hardware. Forward Robotics brings exceptional UAV and robotics expertise, and together we are well positioned for the next phase.”
“The drone industry is developing rapidly, and our team at Forward Robotics is excited to be at the leading edge of this technology,” said Dwayne Henderson, CEO of Forward Robotics. “The technology developed on our long-range heavy-lift platform will lead the IDEaS advanced drone program engineering. Combined with Pfaff Defense’s composite and manufacturing expertise, the team is strongly positioned within this competition.”
The next phase of the program will involve additional testing and technical evaluation against Department of National Defence criteria. Successful teams may progress toward later stages, including field trials, capability demonstrations, and potential pathways into defence procurement.
Pfaff Defense continues to invest in infrastructure, processes, and partnerships that strengthen Canada’s domestic defence manufacturing capacity and support next-generation unmanned and aerospace platforms.
About Pfaff Defense
Pfaff Defense is the defence-focused division of Pfaff Technologies, delivering advanced composite manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and precision fabrication solutions for defence and security applications. Built on a foundation of motorsport, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing expertise, Pfaff Defense supports rapid prototyping through to scalable production for next-generation defence platforms.
About Pfaff Technologies
Pfaff Technologies is a Canadian advanced manufacturing company specializing in composites and additive manufacturing. Serving automotive, aerospace, industrial, and defence markets, the company focuses on precision, performance, and modern production methods.
About Forward Robotics
Forward Robotics is a Canadian developer of advanced unmanned aerial systems and robotics technologies focused on long-range, heavy-lift, and mission-adaptable UAV platforms. The company specializes in airframe design, autonomous flight systems, propulsion integration, mission payload development, and system-level optimization for defence and security applications. Forward Robotics’ platforms are engineered for extended endurance, high payload capacity, and operation in challenging environments, supporting use cases across surveillance, logistics, and specialized defence missions.
About IDEaS
Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) is an innovation program which invests in research and technology aimed at meeting the demands of today’s complex global defence and security environment. Since launching in April 2018, IDEaS has been working with Canadian innovators to turn innovative thinking into tangible solutions for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.
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