Closer to the Mission: Expand Your Business in Nova Scotia, Canada

Nova Scotia is the most direct path to defence in Canada, bringing together industry, research, government, and military partners to help companies innovate, collaborate, and grow.

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Why expand in Nova Scotia? The province is home to globally recognized companies working in naval defence, shipbuilding, sonar and sensing, in-service support, cyber security, aerospace and training and simulation.

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Canada’s next fleet of combat vessels

What gives Nova Scotia the edge?

Nova Scotia is Canada’s command centre for aerospace and defence innovation—where global leaders connect with cutting-edge capabilities.

Largest Defence Procurement in Canadian History
Canada’s next fleet of combat vessels are being built in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Irving Shipbuilding under an $84 billion contract, the largest in Canada’s history. The cost to build and deliver the first three River-Class Destroyers is estimated at $22.2 billion with 12 additional ships proposed.

Canada’s Minister of National Defence has launched the country’s first Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH) under the new BOREALIS initiative in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia — bringing together industry, academia, naval operations, and federal partners to develop and test advanced defence technologies in areas like AI, quantum tech, autonomous systems, and maritime domain awareness.

Supply Chain and In-Service Support

Nova Scotia: Canada’s Defence Innovation Hub

When it comes to defence, Nova Scotia leads the nation. Nova Scotia is home to Canada’s highest concentration of defence spending as a percentage of GDP. As Canada increases defence spending to five per cent of GDP by 2035, the province is well positioned to support the next generation of defence technologies.

Here, you’ll find many of the top In-Service Support (ISS) prime contractors: Thales, IMP Aerospace & Defence, Babcock, Lockheed Martin, L3 Harris Technologies, and General Dynamics Mission Systems—anchoring a thriving ecosystem of expertise. From advanced engineering and modernization to life-cycle maintenance and platform overhaul across air, sea, and land, Nova Scotia delivers world-class capabilities trusted by global partners.

Whether you’re seeking collaboration, innovation, or expansion, Nova Scotia offers the talent, infrastructure, and strategic location to power the future of defence.

Innovation and R&D

Innovation & R&D: Powering the Future of Defence

Nova Scotia is where cutting-edge ideas meet world-class execution. Anchored by the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Atlantic Research Centre—a global leader in anti-submarine warfare, naval materials, and virtual platform development—the province is driving next-generation defence innovation.

At the heart of ocean tech advancement is COVE, Canada’s premier ocean innovation hub and an official accelerator site for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA). This unique ecosystem connects companies directly with world-leading expertise, infrastructure, and opportunities.

Here, collaboration fuels progress. Companies work alongside top universities, research institutions, and industry leaders to accelerate R&D, commercialization, and global market access.

In Nova Scotia, innovation isn’t just supported—it’s accelerated.

Why Nova Scotia?

A natural home for servicing our future submarines

Home to Canada’s East Coast navy, we have a rich history in naval operations and defence innovation. Our capital city, Halifax, is the base for the Royal Canadian Navy’s Atlantic fleet and home to CFB Halifax, the largest Canadian Forces Base in terms of posted personnel.

Nova Scotia has been selected as one of only two locations in Canada to support the long-term sustainment of the country's next-generation submarine fleet, positioning the province at the centre of a multi-decade national defence investment. Following the selection of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) as Canada's preferred supplier for the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project, Halifax is set to play a key role in maintaining and servicing the new fleet, creating significant opportunities for advanced manufacturing, engineering, ocean technology, and defence innovation

Incentives, Programs and Services

Payroll Rebate

Invest Nova Scotia

A payroll rebate is a performance-based incentive that helps growing companies succeed in Nova Scotia. Designed to reward results, it provides a return on eligible gross payroll, paid annually as...

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Innovative Ecosystem

Leading companies continually choose Nova Scotia for their global operations.

NATO chose us for DIANA’s regional office and accelerator because of our unmatched strategic and innovation assets. With direct access to the North Atlantic and Arctic—key regions for Canada’s future submarine operations—plus ice-free deepwater ports, secure defence infrastructure, and established shipyards like Halifax Shipyard, Nova Scotia is built for both operational readiness and long-term sustainment. Add to that a thriving ocean tech and research ecosystem, and it's clear why we’re helping lead this global initiative to accelerate dual-use technologies and industry growth.

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Questions? Looking for more information? Get in touch today—we’d love to talk more about the many reasons you have to choose to do business in Nova Scotia, Canada.