Open Ocean Robotics Qualifies for Three Streams of Canada's Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace

Victoria-headquartered maritime robotics company now eligible to bid on UxS and counter-UxS systems opportunities for Canada's Department of National Defence.

VICTORIA, BC, CANADA, September 15, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Open Ocean Robotics, a developer of autonomous, solar-powered uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs), today announced it has qualified for and been issued a Supply Arrangement under Stream 1 - UxS & Counter-UxS Systems, Stream 2 - C2, Communications, Data, Electronic Warfare & Cyber Systems, and Stream 5 - Innovation & Experimentation of the Defence Drone Initiative (DDI) Marketplace, a procurement vehicle administered by Canada's Defence Investment Agency (DIA).

The qualification establishes Open Ocean Robotics as an eligible supplier for Stream 1, 2, and 5 requirements, allowing the company to bid directly on Department of National Defence opportunities for uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems as they are released through the DDI Marketplace, without the delays of a full open tender for each qualifying procurement.

As Canada faces growing pressure to assert Arctic and coastal sovereignty and to monitor its waters with persistent, reliable technology, this qualification gives the Department of National Defence a faster route to a Canadian-built platform already proven at sea. Open Ocean Robotics' DataXplorer USV has logged more than 12,000 operational hours, a track record that underpins the company's next phase of growth as it expands its role in Canada's defence and security industrial base.

“Qualifying for three streams of Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace is an important recognition of the work our team and recognizes the experience and capability we have built in uncrewed systems,” said Julie Angus, CEO of Open Ocean Robotics. “Our DataXplorer platform has now logged more than 12,000 operational hours at sea, and this qualification creates a faster pathway to put that proven technology to work for the Department of National Defence. Sovereignty in our Arctic and coastal waters depends on persistent, sustainable monitoring, and that is exactly what our platform was built to deliver. This is an important step in our growth as a company Canada's defence sector can rely on.”

Open Ocean Robotics will continue to monitor opportunities released through the DDI Marketplace as they align with the company's maritime uncrewed systems capabilities.


About Open Ocean Robotics

Open Ocean Robotics develops autonomous and solar-powered USVs designed to collect critical ocean and maritime operational data while operating sustainably for extended periods at sea. The company's technology delivers solutions for national security, environmental monitoring, and marine research. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Victoria, BC, with operations in Halifax, Open Ocean Robotics works with government, defence, and commercial partners across Canada and internationally.

Madison Varey
Marketing Coordinator, Open Ocean Robotics
media@openoceanrobotics.com
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