In Ottawa–Gatineau, sovereign defence capability is not theoretical. It is being built, scaled and delivered by Canadian companies supporting national and allied security priorities.

Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc., based in Carp, Ontario, is a clear example of this innovation. The company designs and manufactures advanced suppressor technology for military and law enforcement partners, with nearly all components sourced domestically.

Suppressors are devices that reduce noise, visible flash and the physical impact of firing, helping improve safety and control.

As the only advanced suppressor manufacturer in Canada, Millbrook is helping strengthen national production capacity at a time when trusted supply chains and domestic capability are increasingly central to global defence strategy.

With growing international demand, a recent contract with the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command and a $10.2 million investment to expand production, Millbrook’s growth reflects both the urgency and the opportunity of building sovereign capability at home.

Scaling Performance Through Advanced Manufacturing

Millbrook Strategic Sciences has built credibility through the development of its Multi-Function Muzzle Device (MFMD), a suppressor designed to reduce noise and visible flash while minimizing blast overpressure, toxic blowback and recoil, helping protect operators and improve control, accuracy and overall performance in demanding environments.

Designed for use by government agencies in Canada and internationally through official procurement channels, the system supports platforms firing 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm and .338 ammunition, reducing muzzle flash by up to 99 per cent and shot volume by 15 to 36 decibels.

This combination of performance and reliability has driven strong demand. Millbrook has secured multi-year development engagements with 23 allied nations and continues to expand its role in supporting military and law enforcement partners.

To meet that demand, the company recently announced a $10.2 million investment to expand manufacturing capacity. The expansion will double production output while reinforcing its commitment to building capability in Canada.

In the company’s words, the investment reflects its focus on “designing, building and supporting capability in Canada, for those who serve on the front line at home and with our allies abroad.” The expansion is also expected to create direct and indirect jobs in Ontario, strengthening both sovereign production capacity and regional economic growth.

In early 2025, Millbrook secured a competitive contract with options to supply advanced suppressor systems to the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Both Canadian Army Today and Vanguard Canada reported this milestone, underscoring the credibility of domestic innovation within Canada’s defence ecosystem.

Built in the Capital Region’s Defence Innovation Hub

Millbrook’s growth is rooted in a region uniquely structured to support defence and dual-use innovation.

What distinguishes the Capital Region is not only the concentration of expertise but the strength of its collaborative network. Defence innovators, SMEs, multinational primes, federal labs, procurement officials and research institutions operate in close proximity, enabling faster validation cycles, trusted partnerships and responsive commercialization pathways.

For companies like Millbrook Strategic Sciences, that connectivity accelerates development, strengthens supply chains and supports the responsible scaling of sovereign capability.

As Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa, noted in a recent post:

“Millbrook Strategic Sciences represents the kind of sovereign, mission-driven innovation that defines Ottawa–Gatineau’s defence ecosystem. Their work demonstrates how Canadian companies are advancing high-performance capability at home while strengthening our role within allied defence networks.”

Millbrook exemplifies that collaborative model in action, pairing advanced engineering with ecosystem alignment to scale capability responsibly and competitively.

Celebrating a Capital Region Success Story

Millbrook Strategic Sciences represents the kind of company that defines Canada’s defence innovation strength: technically advanced, mission-driven and globally competitive. Its success reinforces what the Capital Region demonstrates every day: that sovereign capability is built through collaboration between innovators, defence partners, regulators and financial institutions operating side by side.

As global security priorities evolve, Ottawa–Gatineau continues to demonstrate why it is Canada’s defence innovation hub.

• Learn more about Canada’s defence innovation ecosystem at dihub.ca
• Explore Millbrook Strategic Sciences’ technology and capabilities at millbrookstrategicsciences.ca.