This spring, when DefRep was at CANSEC this year, we encountered a larger-than-normal number of small Canadian companies and startups. These are patriotic companies eager to fill the void in Canadian domestic strategic industrial capacity, which years of Government neglect have created. As the world becomes an increasingly unstable and unpredictable place, finally, our “leaders” are starting to realize that part of being a government is defence. It is these small Canadian firms that we encountered at CANSEC that the Government will have to rely on for the heavy lifting moving forward.
There were many standouts, and among the row of small booths between the big boys like General Dynamics and Rheinmetall. One such company was AI Tactical Solutions. A fast-growing startup, AI Tactical has developed a line of incredibly impressive plate carriers and molle gear that are way ahead of what the bigger companies are currently trying to sell to the Canadian Government. They also make the world’s first rifle-rated soft armour plate. This has massive potential to cut costs in equipping our female war fighters. Additionally, it is also a floatation device which adds a maritime advantage not available elsewhere in the field. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, they are also on the cutting edge of IR camouflage and are already selling to other NATO militaries.
AI Tactical Solutions
Located in Sutton, Ontario, it’s only a short drive from where both our Kit Reviewer Jesse Laidlaw and I live. Recently, AI Tactical was kind enough to invite us out so we could shoot some video and see first-hand what they were working on. Working out of an old Scotia Bank on the unassuming main street, AI Tactical is leading a small revolution in Canadian military kit.
AI is built around two ambitious young men in their late twenties, Arthur Parakovits out of McGill and Tom Koepke out of the CAF. Along for the ride is their intern, “little Arthur.” A switched-on lad from East London who is eyeing a future in academia and the British Military. I have zero doubt he will make a name for himself wherever he lands. It is these three young men from Canada and the UK who are developing what the Government until recently had no interest in, and still shows no sign of understanding. They are creating the next generation of equipment that Canadians will carry into battle and rely on to fight and win.
Having reached out to both current and former members of CANSOF who have “advised” AI Tactical by examining and criticizing earlier products. They have taken on board the lessons from one of the world’s leading Special Forces Units and leapfrogged forward into creating the next generation of kit. The lessons they have already incorporated into their products are incredibly impressive, particularly given their pace. Looking at previous generations of their gear and where they are now demonstrates to anyone who knows about this how hard they are working.
What Jesse and I saw when we were in Sutton was a dream and a nightmare for those of us who are inside Canadian defence and care about this country’s capabilities. Here we are a small but ambitious company with the capacity to grow quickly. They offer incredibly well-thought-out products that scream traditional Canadian ingenuity and practicality. These are well-educated and experienced young men desperately hungry to step up. That was the dream part.
The nightmare of what we saw in Sutton was the front line of Canada’s bureaucratic logjam. As outlets like DefRep ring the alarm concerning the state of the world and Canada’s lack of preparedness, it’s companies like AI that are smashing headlong into wall after wall, screaming at the Government to open their eyes. They have other NATO nations already buying. Here at home, they have been going round and round trying to get through the DND morass that is testing and procurement. It is a system that prefers extensive, costly processes over results, and which favours large companies, who are often behind the development curve that guys like AI Tactical drive.
What Jesse and I saw at AI and the gut-wrenching challenges they face is everything that exemplifies Canada. We have a homegrown company on the cutting edge that is well-positioned to fill a glaring hole in our strategic industrial capacity. They want to do it here at home. They want to do it from their small hometown that has seen better days; a contract with AI could transform the entire community. Moreover, what they are developing is an objectively better product. The problem is that those “leaders” who promise to invest in our military and make ‘Canadian Defence Great Again’ are the same “leaders” who let it rot in the first place.
On behalf of Jesse (who is currently on deployment in Latvia) and me, our heartfelt thanks to AI for letting us take a peek inside. As underdogs ourselves on the outside of the machine, it was much appreciated. These folks are the next generation in defence, and these types of players are our best hope; we wish them all the success. If you would like to know more, you should see the videos DefRep shot while we were there. You can also reach out to AI Tactical Solutions directly via their website.
Feature Photo: “AI Tactical Solutions Logo”, AI Tactical Solutions, 2025
DefenceReport’s Industry Watch is a multi-format blog that is based on opinions, insights and dedicated research from DefRep editorial staff and writers. The analysis expressed here is the author’s own and is not necessarily reflective of any institutions or organisations which the author may be associated with.