The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is providing just over $3.25 million to three companies: MilAero Electronics Atlantic, GSTS and Survival Systems.
The money will help the ventures scale operations, boost production capacity, and respond to growing market demand, ACOA said in a statement.
“This is good for MilAero, but it’s also good for Nova Scotia,” said Paul Greedy, Founder and Co-owner of MilAero. “When we invest in people, training, and new capabilities, we’re not just growing our company, we’re helping build a stronger aerospace and defence sector right here at home.”
With more than 200 firms in the defence industry, Atlantic Canada delivers advanced shipbuilding, aircraft and engine maintenance, sonar and acoustic systems, training and simulation, ground vehicle technologies and cyber resilience.
The region is home to nearly 10,000 direct aerospace and defence jobs, representing 20 percent of national defence industry employment, ACOA said.
Detail on the recipients includes:
• MilAero is a CCIB-Certified Indigenous Business and female-owned SME specializing in high-performance electrical assemblies for aerospace, defence, marine, renewable energy, and industrial sectors. The company serves domestic and international markets and has doubled its workforce to 60 employees in the last 12 months.
• GSTS is a maritime AI company whose dual-use OCIANA platform delivers advanced risk management, intelligence, and operational optimization for defence, security, and commercial maritime sectors worldwide.
• Survival Systems Limited designs and manufactures advanced safety training and simulation systems, including its globally recognized Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainers and Environmental Simulation Systems. The company serves defence, oil and gas, and training organizations worldwide.
The money is invested under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative and the Regional Tarriff Response Initiative.
The announcement is part of ACOA’s $38.2 million allocation, over three years, under the three-year $379.2 million Regional Defence Investment Initiative.
The Regional Tariff Response Initiative is a $1 billion national investment to help Canadian businesses respond to global trade pressures, strengthen productivity, and build long-term competitiveness. In Atlantic Canada, ACOA is delivering $80 million under the Regional Tariff Response Initiative to support small and medium-sized enterprises as they modernize operations, strengthen supply chains, and pursue new market opportunities.
