Airbus Defence and Space has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Canadian company, Landing Zones to expand advanced uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) training and simulation capabilities in Canada, strengthening defence readiness against emerging drone threats.
The agreement includes a strategic investment by Airbus in Landing Zones and a seat on the company’s Board of Directors. The partnership is aimed at accelerating the development of advanced threat emulation technologies, large-scale battlefield simulation capabilities and live training services for Canada and its allies.
The collaboration will combine Airbus’ expertise in defence systems with Landing Zones’ Canadian-developed simulation technologies to create realistic training environments that replicate modern drone-heavy battlefields. The companies plan to deliver advanced glide targets, live training simulation capabilities and real-world system verification services to support military preparedness against evolving aerial threats.
“Landing Zones is thrilled to welcome Airbus as a strategic partner alongside the Business Development Bank of Canada’s investment through the StrongNorth Fund,” said Spence Fraser, Founder and CEO of Landing Zones. He added, “This strategic investment accelerates our world-leading threat emulation technologies focused on modern drone threats proliferating on today’s battlefields. By combining Airbus’s global expertise with our agile Canadian capabilities, we will provide highly realistic and relevant, large-scale simulation solutions for Canada and its allies — enabling rapid development of complex and representative battlefield scenarios while strengthening sovereign Canadian capabilities.”
Under the agreement, Landing Zones will also become the dedicated Canadian representative for Airbus Defence and Space Services, helping expand the company’s training and support services across the Canadian market.
The partnership is expected to enable faster development of complex battlefield simulation solutions by combining European defence expertise with a strong local Canadian presence, supporting the creation of representative operational scenarios for military training and testing.
“Airbus is proud to partner with Landing Zones, making our investment in this pioneering Canadian UAS company the latest addition to Airbus’ extensive footprint in the country,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. He further highlighted, “This collaboration brings new strategic live training simulation capabilities with advanced glide targets and expands our training services across North America. Together we will deliver essential, advanced real-world system verification capabilities against emerging threats, directly supporting Canada and its Allies in preparing for the complex, drone-heavy battlefields of today and tomorrow.”
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Airbus said the investment also contributes to its commitments under Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy associated with the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) acquisition programme. The programme includes the procurement of four new Airbus A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft and the conversion of five pre-owned A330-200 aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Through the partnership, Airbus and Landing Zones aim to strengthen Canada’s sovereign defence capabilities while enhancing training infrastructure to address the growing role of uncrewed aerial systems in modern military operations.
