Record 3,000 Attendees Expected at DEFSEC Atlantic in Halifax Amid Major Defence Investments
Halifax is hosting the largest edition of DEFSEC Atlantic with a record 3,000 attendees, highlighting Nova Scotia's growing defence sector as Canada advances plans for new submarines and billions in infrastructure spending.
A record 3,000 people are expected to attend DEFSEC Atlantic in Halifax this week, marking the largest edition of the annual aerospace and defence exhibition. The event underscores Nova Scotia’s expanding role in Canada’s defence industry amid significant federal investments.
Canada plans to acquire as many as 12 new submarines through the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, having selected Germany’s TKMS as its preferred supplier earlier this summer. Six of the planned new submarines are expected to be maintained and serviced in Halifax. Babcock has spent 18 years supporting the Royal Canadian Navy’s Victoria-class submarines and is positioning itself for long-term maintenance opportunities tied to the upcoming fleet.
The exhibition arrives during a period of substantial government spending. In March, the federal government announced roughly $2 billion for infrastructure modernization and new facilities tied to next-generation naval and air fleets. A separate $200-million, 10-year agreement with Maritime Launch Services aims to establish sovereign launch infrastructure at Canso.
Nova Scotia’s defence and aerospace sector currently includes more than 130 companies, supporting over 17,000 jobs and contributing an estimated $2.7 billion to the provincial economy. While these developments present potential for new contracts, jobs, and investment in the region, they also place pressure on the local workforce capacity and industrial infrastructure to meet demand.
DEFSEC Atlantic continues to grow as a platform for international collaboration. Last year’s event brought together 868 organizations from 31 countries and facilitated more than 1,300 meetings.