Hamilton Drone Company Stays Focused Despite Russian Threats

The CEO of a Hamilton drone company says that threats from Russian officials won’t stop them from making drones for Ukraine, thanks to a new partnership supported by the Canadian government.

“We take all threats to our security seriously,” said Katheron Intson, who’s also co-founder of Sentinel Research and Development. “But it really doesn’t change our plans at this point in time.”

The company gained international attention after Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova condemned the agreement on Wednesday, accusing Canada of acting like a “warmonger” and threatening to disclose the address of the Ontario business involved.

Intson mentioned that Sentinel was prepared for criticism from Russia but was taken aback by the harsh language used.

“I think any country that’s the aggressor, that attacks the sovereignty of another nation, calling our nation a warmonger is an interesting, head-scratching thought,” she said.

While Russia has threatened to reveal their location, Intson explained that Sentinel already meets security requirements established through Canada’s Controlled Goods Program.

“It’s true that Russia has the addresses of drone factories around the world that are supplying Ukraine,” she said. “This is of course a possibility.”

At the same time, she noted that the production facility related to their partnership with Ukraine hasn’t been set up yet.

“So if they find our address before we do, that will be very interesting.”

Canada Supporting Ukraine on Front Lines

Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, kicked off Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.

After annexing Crimea in 2014, Russia’s invasion in 2022 led to rapid advancements in drone technology, which now accounts for most casualties in this ongoing war. Ukraine has effectively used drones to target sites deep within Russian territory and well beyond front lines. However, Russia has also deployed its own drones against targets inside Ukraine.

Last month, Ottawa announced Sentinel would collaborate with Ukrainian defense tech firm Airlogix to manufacture drone systems in Canada for use by the Ukrainian military.

The deal aims to “accelerate the delivery of equipment urgently needed by the armed forces of Ukraine in its defence against Russian aggression,” according to a federal government news release dated May 29.

“This collaboration reflects our commitment to supporting Ukraine while driving economic growth and resilience here at home,” Defence Minister David Mc Guinty stated in the release.

The announcement highlighted that since February 2022, Canada has provided over $25.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, including $8.5 billion for military support.

Sentinel CEO Kath Intson, left, signs an agreement in Ottawa with Ukrainian company Airlogix. Intson is shown beside chief commercial officer Dmytro Piatrin. (Submitted by Kath Intson)

Intson shared that earlier this year her company was approached through the Department of National Defence and was introduced formally to Airlogix shortly after.

The two companies reached an agreement within months.     .</ .</<</body>></html>

While she didn’t provide specific operational details,,Intson confirmed,the drones produced under this arrangement will be sent straight,to,Ukraine’s front lines.
.. “Success would be hearing,that Canadian-made drones were used successfully on,the front line.”

‘Freedom Is Precious’

Intson described Sentinel as a " manufacturing technology company with an aerospace angle." She explained they work within " the fixed wing airframe space" and produce fixed-wing drones resembling small airplanes rather than typical quadcopter-style ones often used for photography or videography. The company’s main drone model, Re Kam, can travel over 500 kilometers and can be set up for various purposes, according to Intson.  

“Everything from decoys to surveillance to carrying munitions.”Intson holds the Re Kam drone, which can travel over 500 kilometers and can be configured for various uses. (Submitted by Kath Intson)

As a family-run business, Intson mentioned they hold values shared by many Canadians- the significance of fighting for freedom. “Freedom is a flash in the pan and I wish it wasn’t.”

This issue resonates deeply with her due to her Estonian background.
She believes anyone from Eastern Europe understands how vital it is to support Ukraine’s efforts against Russia.

“It’s truly devastating to lose your home.”

According to Intson, with advancements in drone tech fundamentally changing warfare,
it’s crucial for Canada to develop its own technologies.

“Other nations will only treat us as well as our capabilities are,” she added.“I hope standing up industrial capacity and being developers means we never have deploy it." “But if we must , we’ll be ready.”

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