Defence procurement outcomes
Starting in fall 2025, the Defence Investment Agency will transform the defence procurement process to better meet Canada’s strategic, operational and industrial needs. The Agency’s mandate focuses on accelerating procurement, strengthening domestic capabilities, and aligning defence investments with national priorities.
Simpler decision-making and clearer accountability
Defence procurement decisions have been spread across many departments. The Defence Investment Agency consolidates and streamlines the decision-making process under one clear structure, led by the Secretary of State (Defence Procurement).
Faster project timelines through early involvement
The Defence Investment Agency will engage earlier in project lifecycles, starting at the planning and options analysis phases. Early involvement ensures procurement strategies are considered from the outset, enabling faster preparation and execution.
Stronger and more coordinated procurement teams
The Defence Investment Agency will form dedicated teams that include experts in:
- military operations
- industry engagement
- project management
- contracting
These teams will take full responsibility for delivering procurement results, ensuring alignment with operational requirements and strategic objectives.
Better collaboration with industry
The Defence Investment Agency will work more directly with businesses. By listening to industry feedback, the Agency can:
- improve how contracts are designed
- identify the right partners earlier
- gain a better understanding of the market, including capacity, costs and risks
Clearer and more practical requirements
Contracting experts will be engaged earlier in the process of defining requirements. This will lead to clearer contract solicitation documents and reduce the use of unnecessary or overly complex criteria.
Improved contract management and reduced risk
The Defence Investment Agency will use better tools and processes to manage contracts and will focus on reducing risks that could affect timely delivery and military operations. This will help improve the readiness and resilience of Canada’s defence forces.
Modern and flexible procurement approaches
The Defence Investment Agency will adopt new and more adaptable ways of buying equipment and services. Using flexible contract templates, modern procurement strategies and innovative models for acquisitions and investment, the Agency will help keep pace with changing technologies and evolving operational needs.
Faster approvals for contracts
With greater authority and higher financial limits, the Defence Investment Agency will be able to approve contracts more quickly. This will reduce the number of steps needed and speed up the awarding of contracts, while maintaining oversight and accountability over defence procurements.