TerraSense at CANSEC 2026: A Powerful Week for Canadian Defence Innovation
- Natalia Kaplan
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
A week of high-impact conversations, MIST demonstrations, and renewed momentum for Canadian-built defence AI
CANSEC 2026 was one of the busiest and most engaged events our team has seen in more than two decades in the defence sector.
Across the whole week of CANSEC, TerraSense met with partners, clients, operators, industry leaders, and new connections from across Canada and allied defence communities. The conversations were thoughtful, technical, and forward-looking, with clear interest in how Canadian-built AI can support the future of defence.
This year’s event was especially meaningful because it gave us the opportunity to demonstrate the many applications of MIST®, our AI-driven middleware platform designed to help operators turn complex sensor data into actionable intelligence.
Across air, land, and maritime environments, defence teams are facing a growing challenge: there is more data available than ever before, but not always enough time, capacity, or clarity to process it in real time. MIST was built to help close that gap.
By supporting detection, recognition, tracking, geolocation, and decision-making, MIST helps operators move from sensor overload to operational clarity.
At CANSEC, seeing that capability connect with so many different use cases, platforms, and mission needs was a powerful reminder of why we do this work.
A strong moment for Canadian innovation
CANSEC 2026 took place during an important moment for Canada’s defence industry. Conversations around procurement, domestic capability, allied partnerships, and the future of Canadian defence innovation were present throughout the event.
TerraSense was proud to be part of that broader national conversation.
During CANSEC, Jozsef Hamari, CEO of TerraSense Analytics, was interviewed by CBC/Radio-Canada for The House with Catherine Cullen, speaking alongside the Honourable Stephen Fuhr about emerging defence technology in Canada and the role Canadian innovation can play in the future of defence.
As sensor systems become more advanced, operators are facing an avalanche of data. The question is no longer whether we can collect more information. It is whether we can process it quickly enough, clearly enough, and responsibly enough to support the people making decisions.
For TerraSense, AI in defence is not about replacing human judgment. It is about reducing cognitive load, improving clarity, and keeping humans in the loop when decisions matter most.
Cornell Pich, Vice President of Business Development at TerraSense, also spoke with The Hill Times during CANSEC as part of the ongoing discussion around Canadian defence investment and sovereign technology.
For our team, these conversations matter. TerraSense was built in Canada, shaped through Canadian defence challenges, and continues to grow through collaboration with operators, partners, and industry leaders who understand the importance of building practical, deployable technology for real-world needs.
From forestry AI to defence applications
The momentum at CANSEC also followed recent coverage in Vancouver Tech Journal, which highlighted TerraSense’s evolution from computer vision work in forestry to defence AI.
That story captured an important part of the company’s history. TerraSense began by developing AI tools to identify and map tree species from aerial imagery. When the Department of National Defence asked whether that same type of technology could be used to identify armoured vehicles, it opened the door to a new application and, ultimately, a new direction for the company.
That early challenge helped shape what would become MIST.
Today, MIST is designed to help defence and security teams manage the growing complexity of modern sensor environments. As the number of drones, cameras, radars, and other sensors continues to increase, the need for intelligent systems that can help interpret and prioritize information is only becoming more important.
The question is no longer whether more data can be collected. The question is how quickly that data can be understood, trusted, and acted on.
That is where TerraSense continues to focus.
Partnership, gratitude, and momentum
Beyond the booth, the meetings, and the media conversations, CANSEC was also a chance to pause and appreciate the people who have been part of TerraSense’s journey.
During the week, we hosted a dinner with some of our partners, collaborators, and new friends. It was a moment of gratitude for the many people who have supported, worked with, challenged, and cheered on TerraSense year after year.
In an industry built on trust, long-term relationships matter. The progress we are making is not the result of one event or one conversation. It is the result of years of collaboration, field work, feedback, testing, and shared belief in what Canadian defence innovation can contribute.
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to meet with us, visit the booth, share their perspective, and explore what is possible with our team.
Looking ahead
CANSEC 2026 reinforced something we have believed for a long time: Canada has the talent, technical capability, and industry knowledge to play a meaningful role in the future of defence technology.
For TerraSense, the path forward is clear. We will continue building practical AI solutions that help operators make faster, clearer, and more informed decisions in complex environments. That means developing products designed with humans in the loop, supporting responsible decision-making while strengthening situational awareness across defence, security, and dual-use applications.
We will continue working with partners who understand the urgency of modern defence challenges, while advancing Canadian-built technology designed for real-world operational needs.
Thank you to everyone who made CANSEC 2026 such a productive and memorable event.
The conversations started in Ottawa are only the beginning.
Comments