Davie and Davie Autonomous, Inc.
By Dr. Ann Griffiths, 25 July 2026
Davie Shipbuilding in Levis, Quebec, made an interesting announcement in the past week. The federal government is calling on industry to step up on domestic capacity in defence and technology – it included uncrewed and autonomous systems as one of 10 sovereign capabilities it’s looking to enhance. In this regard, Davie is launching a subsidiary – Davie Autonomous Inc. – dedicated to manufacturing autonomous boats. It will set up in Ontario (gasp) and will focus on manufacturing Kraken’s K3 Scout vessel in partnership with Kraken Technologies. (The K3 Scout is an uncrewed surface vessel (USV), 8.4-metres long with a maximum speed of 55 knots and the ability to carry a 600-kilogram payload.) To do this, Davie Autonomous will use a production network it plans to set up across Ontario, where apparently it’s in “advanced negotiations” with several sites. The hope is to make use of the manufacturing, composites, robotics and automation expertise in Ontario to build a product to serve both domestic and export markets. The company plans to announce the facilities and its production schedule by the end of this year.
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Current Issue: Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026)
As usual, the issue contains a smorgasbord of material, with something for everyone. Our first article takes us to China and outlines how it has become a shipbuilding powerhouse.
The second article discusses Canada’s participation in the Gulf War, as we reach the 35th anniversary of the conflict.
The third article argues that RCN veterans should be seen as strategic assets and treated and trained as such. The final essay outlines some of the defence capabilities that are being ordered/built, particularly relating to the Arctic, even in the absence of a new defence policy to provide strategic direction.
And, of course, we have our usual Making Waves commentaries. In response to enthusiastic discussion on Broadsides (our online discussion forum), we have a commentary about whether geography is destiny for Canada – i.e., as a small (in terms of population) country next door to the United States, does Canada have options for defence? There’s a commentary asking if naval art is dead, a commentary about naval capabilities for the Arctic, and a commentary about how the RCN can make the navy more visible to Canadians.
And, of course, we have our regular columns. “A View from the West” looks at whether China is indeed capable of/intending to invade Taiwan in 2027. “Dollars and Sense” examines the Defence Industrial Strategy, and “Warship Developments” updates us on recent naval developments.
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