Built for the North: Why Aerospace & Defence Innovation Thrives in Newfoundland & Labrador’s Capital Region

In Newfoundland and Labrador’s Capital Region, we don’t just talk about resilience—we engineer it. From the icy waters of the North Atlantic to the rugged terrain of the Arctic gateway, our companies and researchers are building technologies that perform where others falter. For global defence firms seeking reliability, innovation, and strategic access, we offer something rare: a region that understands the mission because it lives the reality.

Take Kraken Robotics, for example. Born here and now operating on a global scale, Kraken’s synthetic aperture sonar systems are redefining subsea surveillance and mine-hunting. Their pressure-tolerant batteries and autonomous platforms are tested in labs and then proven in the unforgiving waters off our coast. It’s this kind of real-world validation that defence clients—from NATO navies to Arctic operators—are looking for.

But it’s not just about the tech. It’s about how we build it. At The Launch, Memorial University’s living lab for ocean innovation, industry collaborates with researchers from C-CORE to simulate lifeboat launches in sub-zero seas. Then we have Virtual Marine who is simulating lifeboat launches, fast rescue craft rescues and polar ice code training from a warehouse in Paradise. At Avalon Holographics, teams are developing holographic displays that could transform mission planning and battlefield visualization. And at SubC Imaging, subsea cameras are capturing data that supports both environmental monitoring and infrastructure protection.

This is a region where collaboration is a way of working. Industry, academia, and government come together to solve problems that matter. Supported by programs like ACOA, and the Foreign Attraction Fund, companies here have the tools to scale, export, and partner globally.

And the location? It’s unmatched. St. John’s is the closest North American city to Europe, with two year-round ice-free ports and direct access to Arctic routes. For defence firms focused on cold-weather operations, maritime security, or northern logistics, it’s convenient and strategic.

We know the North because we build for it. If your mission demands precision, durability, and Arctic readiness, come see what’s happening in Newfoundland and Labrador’s Capital Region. We’re ready.

Key Factors that reflect the Aerospace & Defence Sector in Newfoundland & Labrador.