Defence & Aerospace

London, Canada - Defence & Aerospace

London, Canada hosts a nationally significant defence and aerospace manufacturing cluster anchored by General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada, with supporting companies including NP Aerospace, Militex Coatings, Armatec Survivability, and Diamond Aircraft. 

  • London’s strategic location half-way between Toronto and Detroit on 401 superhighway provides direct access to 3 border crossings within 2 hours at Sarnia/Port Huron, Windsor/Detroit, and Niagara/Buffalo.
  • The 401is North America’s busiest highway with 10,000 transport trucks per day accessing 150M consumers in Canada and the US per day.
  • London regions’ defense and aerospace workforce is ~4,000 in a regional manufacturing workforce of more than 20,000.
  • London offers fully serviced industrial land at the 401 highway in its Innovation and Huron Industrial Parks.  
defence and aerospace manufacturing cluster

 

London International Airport (YXU) 

London International Airport (YXU) holds over 1,000 acres of development-ready land and is home to more than 35 aviation-related businesses, including Diamond Aircraft, and Fanshawe College Norton School of Aviation. LIA provides industry with long-term leases, developed infrastructure, financial incentives, 24-hour operations, and runway access. 

London International Airport (YXU)

 

Western University 

London’s Western University is ranked in the top 1% (2025) world university rankings with 42,000 students from 134 countries. 

Western University

R&D, Engineering & AI  

  • Western supplies a pipeline of engineers, data scientists, and AI specialists who support advanced manufacturing, autonomy, defence analytics, and dual-use technology development in London and the broader region.  
  • Western and TKMS have entered a strategic collaboration to establish the first foundational pillar of a Canadian Defence and Dual-use Innovation Ecosystem. This initiative focuses on accelerating technological leadership in support of Naval Superiority, Arctic Research and Clean Technologies, advancing national capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomy, and capabilities enabling Multi-Domain Operations (MDO).
  • Western is part of the Borealis project Defence Innovation Security Hub (DISH) - Advancing defence innovation through secure collaboration.
  • Fraunhoffer Innovation Platform (FIP-Composites) at Western develops, tests, validates, and characterizes new lightweight materials and advanced manufacturing processes at industrial scale. FIP has capabilities for Ballistic protection, and Drones.  

Fanshawe College

London’s Fanshawe College is one of Ontario’s top colleges with enrollment of ~20,000 students in 200 programs.  

Fanshawe provides customized training for local manufacturer needs and product testing capabilities in thermal, mechanical, electrical, and environmental. 

Fanshawe Talent – aviation & aerospace

  • Fanshawe’s Norton Wolf School of Aviation & Aerospace Technology, housed in an 80,000 sq ft. hangar at London International Airport, provides 9+ aviation and aerospace programs including Transport Canada-approved Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) diplomas​. Other notable programs include Commercial Flight & Aviation Leadership, Composites & Advanced Materials Aerospace Manufacturing, and Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) Commercial Operations.

Fanshawe Talent - technical & manufacturing

  • Fanshawe’s School of Advanced Manufacturing, Science and Transportation trains electrical/electronic technicians, mechanical designers, transportation technologists, and core manufacturing technologists, with course content shaped by employers and high local graduate employment. The School has ~24 programs including Manufacturing Engineering Technician/Technology programs.  

Leading Defense & Aerospace Companies

 

gd land systems

 

General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS)

Canada’s OEM combat vehicle supplier specializing in innovation, design, manufacturing, and support of LAVs and with next-generation land defence technologies.  

 

International Test Pilot School Canada (ITPS)

 

International Test Pilot School Canada (ITPS)

ITPS trains test-pilots and flight test engineers for civil and allied military organizations worldwide, including the RCAF, to internationally recognized (EASA) standards. R&D includes leading edge aircraft modification, test and evaluation, Live Virtual Constructive Training, and Simulation. 

NP Aerospace

NP Aerospace

NP Aerospace is a manufacturer of survivability and vehicle integration systems including ballistic helmet shells, explosive ordnance disposal suits, body armour plates, and composite vehicle armour systems developed using ultra-lightweight materials. 

Militex Coatings

Militex Coatings 

North America’s premier military and industrial paint finishing facility with a wide range of metal finishing options, can apply varied coatings for small and large parts, and complete value-added work.  

 

Diamond Aircraft

Diamond Aircraft

OEM manufacturer of piston-driven aircraft with facilities in Austria and China.

 

Allient

 

Allient  

Global leader in engineering with expertise spanning Motion, Controls, and Power, supporting mission-critical applications across Aerospace, Defense, Medical, Industrial, Vehicles, and other demanding applications. 

 

North Aircraft

 

North Aircraft

Develops and manufactures composite primary structure and complete components for aerospace applications, providing lightweight, strong, and affordable solutions to support flying more efficiently, longer, and farther. 

Safran Electrical Components Canada

Safran Electrical Components Canada

Manufacturers Hydraulic Assemblies for the aerospace industry. 

Armatec Survivability

Armatec Survivability

Provides the Canadian Forces and allied militaries with holistic survivability solutions for both wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles.

Davwire

Davwire  

Leading provider of contract manufacturing and engineering services, specializing in wire harnesses and electromechanical systems, for the aerospace and defence industries. 

 

Best Defence Conference

London hosts the annual Best Defence Conference, a premier Canadian aerospace, defence and public safety conference addressing the air, land, naval, C4ISR, IT/IM and public safety capability domains.  

Best Defence Conference