Collaboration to advance next-generation ISR capabilities for the Canadian Armed Forces and allied partnersOTTAWA, Ontario, Nov. 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Calian Group Ltd. (TSX: CGY), a trusted provider of mission-critical solutions for defence, space, health and other critical infrastructure sectors, has announced its first partnership under Calian VENTURES with TACTIQL Inc. Through this partnership, TACTIQL—a Canadian veteran-owned and operated company developing next-generation intelligence, surveill ...

Core Insights - Critical Infrastructure Technologies Ltd. (CiTech) has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Pathfinder Ventures Inc. to explore strategic collaboration in the U.S. defence market [2][6] - The partnership aims to enhance CiTech's market entry and partnership strategy, focusing on government engagement and commercialization of the Nexus 20 Rapid Deployment Radio Base Station [3][4] - Pathfinder Ventures will leverage its extensive network to support CiTech in navigating U.S. federal procurement and agency relationships [6][8] Company Overview - CiTech is a developer of autonomous, high-capacity mobile communications and security platforms, targeting sectors such as mining, defence, border security, and emergency services [10] - The company is currently commercializing its first product, the Nexus 16, which provides critical mobile telecommunications solutions [10] - CiTech's self-deploying platform (SDP) addresses limitations of current communication solutions, supporting various technological payloads including LTE and anti-drone systems [10] Strategic Goals - The collaboration aligns with CiTech's objective to expand its footprint across NATO and Five Eyes nations, supporting sovereign defence initiatives [5] - The NDA marks the first step toward a broader business development and advisory partnership between CiTech and Pathfinder Ventures [6] - Future actions include operational assessments for establishing domestic manufacturing and assembly in the U.S. [6]

Core Insights - Critical Infrastructure Technologies Ltd. (CiTech) will participate in European Defence Week 2025, highlighting its role in the European Defence and Security ecosystem [1][2][4] - The company aims to advance its Nexus 20 Rapid Deployment Platform, which integrates multi-role communications, surveillance, and counter-UAS systems for operational flexibility [2][3] - Latvia's strategic position and its commitment to European defence innovation are emphasized, with CiTech representing the nation's contributions [3][4] Company Overview - CiTech is focused on developing autonomous, high-capacity mobile communications and security platforms, targeting sectors such as mining, defence, border security, and emergency services [6] - The company has completed the research and development phase and is in the process of commercializing its first product, the Nexus 16, which provides critical mobile telecommunications [6] - CiTech's self-deploying platform (SDP) addresses limitations of current communication solutions, supporting various technological payloads including LTE and surveillance systems [6] Event Details - European Defence Week 2025 will feature forums, workshops, and networking events aimed at fostering partnerships and innovations in the defence sector [4] - The event is organized by Bpifrance and EuroQuity, bringing together defence companies, investors, and policy leaders [4]

Core Insights - Critical Infrastructure Technologies Ltd. (CiTech) has been selected as a Rover within the Team Defence Australia delegation for the AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition 2025, taking place from October 13 to 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. [1][4] Company Overview - CiTech is a developer of autonomous, high-capacity mobile communications and security platforms, targeting sectors such as mining, defence, border security, and emergency services with its first product, the Nexus 16 [6]. - The Nexus 16 aims to provide critical mobile telecommunications using patented technologies, addressing limitations of current deployable communication solutions [6]. Industry Engagement - Participation in the AUSA event allows CiTech to engage with international defence stakeholders, strengthen global partnerships, and showcase its Nexus platform, which supports mission-critical communications and situational awareness [3][4]. - AUSA 2025 is expected to host over 30,000 participants, including senior military officials and key defence contractors, highlighting the significance of CiTech's involvement in promoting Australian innovation on a global stage [4].

Core Points - Daniel Ek, co-founder of Spotify, will step down as CEO at the beginning of next year, transitioning to the role of executive chairman after two decades in leadership [1][2] - Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström will take over as co-CEOs, reporting directly to Ek, formalizing the operational structure that has been in place since 2023 [2][4] - Ek's decision follows backlash over his €700 million investment in defense company Helsing, which has faced criticism from artists and groups [2][3] Investment and Backlash - Ek's investment in Helsing, which specializes in AI software for military use and has expanded into weapons manufacturing, has drawn significant scrutiny [2] - Artists like Massive Attack have announced they will withdraw their music from Spotify in protest of Ek's defense sector investments [3] - Despite the criticism, Ek has expressed confidence in the investment's alignment with European interests [3] Company Operations - Spotify has stated that it operates independently from Helsing, emphasizing that the latter's technology is used solely for Ukraine's defense against Russia [4] - The leadership change is expected to reduce scrutiny on Spotify regarding Ek's controversial investments, although shares fell nearly 4% in pre-market trading following the announcement [4] - Ek indicated that the change in leadership titles reflects the existing operational dynamics of the company, allowing him to focus on long-term strategic goals as executive chairman [5]

Group 1: Awards and Recognitions - The seventh edition of the Changemaker Awards highlighted themes of education, social welfare, and empowerment of marginalized sections, aligning with the ethos of Viksit Bharat and indigenous production [2] - The Changemaker of the Year award was presented to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for its significant contributions [2][9] - The award for social transformation was awarded to Impulse NGO Network for its anti-trafficking efforts and rehabilitation of vulnerable women and children [3] - The digital transformation award went to Bhashini, which processes 20 million translation requests daily using artificial intelligence [3] - Araku Valley Coffee received the financial transformation award, with its managing director dedicating the award to the workers and farmers involved [4] - The Young Changemaker award was given to Kalyani Shinde for her innovative onion storage solution that monitors microclimate conditions [6] - eVidyaloka won the Chairperson's award for bridging the education divide through digital classrooms and a large volunteer base [7] - The Azim Premji Foundation received the Iconic Changemaker of the Year award for its extensive work in education and healthcare across India [8] Group 2: Event Details and Partnerships - The event was presented by SASTRA Deemed University and co-powered by State Bank of India, with various associate partners including LIC, Bank of Baroda, and others [11] - The evening concluded with reminiscences from Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri regarding his diplomatic experiences and association with former President APJ Abdul Kalam [10]

Core Insights - Critical Infrastructure Technologies Ltd. (CiTech) has signed a Confidentiality Agreement with DroneShield Limited to develop Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities for the Nexus 20 platform, as requested by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence [1][4] - This agreement builds on previous collaborations with Babcock International, Nokia Solutions, and Ericsson, focusing on the integration of 4G/5G telecommunications systems for the Nexus 20 [2][4] - The Nexus 20 program aims to deliver 50 platforms to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, providing a fully integrated and secure system for modern defense operations [4] Company Overview - CiTech specializes in autonomous, high-capacity mobile communications platforms, targeting sectors such as mining, defense, border security, and emergency services [8] - The company is commercializing its first product, the Nexus 16, which aims to provide critical mobile telecommunications using patented self-deploying technology [8] - DroneShield Limited offers AI-enabled counter-drone systems for various platforms and serves customers in over 30 countries, including military and government sectors [6]

Core Insights - TB2 Aerospace LLC, in collaboration with Draganfly Inc., successfully deployed the Drone Recharging Operational Payload System (DROPS) during the U.S. Army's Sustainment Modernization Experiment 2025 (SMEX25) [1][2] - The DROPS system achieved a 100% success rate in autonomously deploying, recovering, and recharging tactical resupply pods, validating its operational performance in challenging environments [2] - The integration of DROPS with Draganfly's Commander 3XL demonstrates the potential to revolutionize military logistics and enhance operational capabilities [3] Company Overview - Draganfly Inc. is a pioneer in drone solutions and AI-driven software, with over 25 years of innovation in various sectors including public safety, agriculture, and industrial inspections [4] - TB2 Aerospace, founded in 2020, focuses on developing autonomous logistics and tactical payload systems, with DROPS as its flagship solution designed for defense and disaster response applications [5] Key Capabilities - The Commander 3XL, enabled with DROPS, autonomously captured, transported, and delivered payloads, significantly reducing the need for human logistics support [6] - DROPS demonstrated platform agnosticism, functioning seamlessly across various platforms, confirming its versatility and integration capabilities [6]