The Ukrainian defence technology company SkyFall and the Canadian Calian Group have entered into a strategic partnership to develop and deliver military training programmes in the field of unmanned systems. The programmes are intended for the armed forces of Canada and the United Kingdom, NATO member states and other allies; they are designed to combine Ukrainian practical experience with Calian’s international training infrastructure.
Briefly about the main points
- The programmes will be developed for the armed forces of Canada, the UK, NATO and their allies.
- SkyFall will share its technological, operational and training expertise.
- Calian will bring expertise in international training, simulation and readiness.
- There are plans to expand SkyFall Academy to an international level.
- The parties will take into account the rapid changes in UAV technology and tactics.
The roles of the parties in the new curricula
SkyFall will provide technical, operational and training expertise relating to unmanned systems. Calian will contribute its experience in developing and delivering large-scale international programmes in military training, simulation and operational readiness.
The company works with the Canadian and British armed forces, NATO and other allies. The parties stated that joint training courses should take into account the real-world experience of modern warfare, as well as the rapid changes in unmanned system technology and the means of countering them.
There are plans to expand SkyFall Academy beyond Ukraine’s borders
One area of cooperation will be the international expansion of SkyFall Academy. The academy trains operators, instructors and technical specialists who work with unmanned aerial vehicles.
There are plans to scale up Ukrainian training initiatives beyond the country’s borders. This will include practical experience in the use of drones, which the Ukrainian side will share as part of a bilateral exchange.
Calian’s experience in academic and international training
According to Calian, SkyFall Academy has trained more than 30,000 Ukrainian military personnel over the past three years. Over more than four decades of operation, Calian has trained more than 300,000 military personnel and other specialists on programmes for Canada, the United Kingdom, NATO and allied nations.
The Canadian company will integrate Ukrainian best practices into its training and simulation programmes, as well as into its readiness programmes. This approach involves combining experience in the use of UAVs with existing international training mechanisms.
Access to NATO standards and allied infrastructure
Director of SkyFall Nikolai Makoveev stated that the partnership broadens Ukraine’s access to NATO training standards and the infrastructure of the Alliance’s members. According to him, the cooperation is also intended to enhance interoperability with partners and the integration of Ukraine’s technological and training capabilities into the international defence ecosystem.
The joint SkyFall and Calian programme was announced during the President’s visit in September Vladimir Zelensky to Canada. On that occasion, Ukrainian and Canadian companies presented a number of joint defence projects.
