A new Inuit-owned defense company is combining local Arctic expertise with advanced military technology to support Canada’s northern security operations.
Based in Nunavut, Sapujjijiit Inc. — “defender” in Inuktitut — plans to bring manufacturing, R&D, and systems integration for drones, robotics, and cold-weather sensors directly into the Far North, according to a report by Nunatsiaq News.
It was formed in partnership with Ottawa-based venture group ONE9.
By embedding Arctic field expertise into defense tech, the company is tapping a potent combination of local knowledge and emerging sovereign capability.
Sapujjijiit has already begun preliminary contracts with southern defense firms to provide Arctic test infrastructure and logistics support, an early marker of Indigenous business moving from support roles toward direct systems supply.
Contributing to Arctic Defense
Canada’s shifting focus in the Far North is visible in both policy and procurement. On the policy side, the December 2024 Arctic Foreign Policy declared that “Canada must urgently strengthen our presence in the Arctic and northern regions.” This highlights surveillance, maritime domain awareness, and logistical readiness.
On the industry side, Canada has leveraged Inuit firms for critical infrastructure. A majority-Inuit company secured a contract in 2022 to maintain the North Warning System radar chain across the Arctic.
This move combines sovereignty, defense readiness, and community economic benefit.
More recently, Canada and the US have advanced plans to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command early warning system, investing billions in long-range radar, satellite monitoring, and over-the-horizon sensing to detect emerging threats in the Arctic.
Ottawa has also announced funding for new ice-capable patrol vessels and expanded operations at CFS Alert and the Nanisivik Naval Facility, meant to reinforce both surveillance and logistical capacity in one of the world’s most strategically contested regions.
Source – https://thedefensepost.com/2025/10/31/inuit-arctic-defense-firm/
