A delegation of officials opened the $26.6 million NATO Diana office in Halifax on Oct. 2. Photo:supplied

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) opened a Canadian regional office with an initial national investment of $26.6 million over a six-year period on Oct. 2. 

The Halifax-based office will help develop dual-use technologies addressing security and defence challenges. 

“It brings together the best and brightest innovators from key sectors across the Alliance to help NATO maintain its technological edge, defend its one billion citizens, and preserve peace and security,” a national Defence media statement reads. 

The office will house 10 NATO international personnel, increasing to 25 when fully staffed. It is the third NATO DIANA regional office after one in London, UK and Tallinn, Estonia. The Canadian office will be under the direction of newly appointed Major-General Paul Peyton as the Military Deputy Director for North America. He brings more than 35 years of experience in leadership roles — most recently as Chief of Force Development in the Canadian Armed Forces. 

Minister of National Defence Bill Blair said rapid advances in technology and an evolving security environment call for innovative solutions to address “the emerging threats of today.”

“The NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic is a hub for experts to find new solutions to bolster the capabilities of Canada and our NATO Allies,” he said.

“We are proud to host the North American regional office in Halifax, a city with an advanced science and technology community and host to our Atlantic Navy fleet.”

Managing Director of DIANA, Professor Deep Chana, said the organization is committed to solving the world’s most complex security, defence and resilience problems through technological innovation. 

“Canada has been a key part of our success so far, and with our North American Headquarters now up and running, we look forward to further tapping into the innovation capacity across Canada, the United States, and all 32 nations in the Alliance,” Chana said. 

“Together, we can build greater pathways between technologies and those who need them to make our world a safer, more resilient and more peaceful place.”