Canadian defence organizations are operating in an increasingly complex security environment, where acting quickly on trusted intelligence is essential to prioritizing digital sovereignty, strengthening operational readiness, and maintaining interoperability with allies. The IBM Defence Model — just announced by IBM and detailed below — can provide Canadian defence stakeholders with a purpose‑built AI capability for secure, mission‑critical environments.

By combining IBM’s enterprise‑grade AI expertise with Janes trusted defence intelligence, the solution is designed to help Canada’s defence community accelerate planning, improve analytical accuracy, and respond confidently to evolving threats. It also supports governance and transparency practices that align with Canadian‑approved standards and client‑mandated controls, ensuring systems and data are managed in accordance with national requirements.

The announcement below outlines the IBM Defence Model’s features, benefits, and availability for defence and national security organizations worldwide.

October 29, 2025 –  IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced the general availability of the IBM Defence Model, a purpose-built AI model designed to deliver reliable intelligence for defence and national security. Developed together with Janes, a leading provider of open-source defence intelligence, the IBM Defence Model combines IBM’s enterprise-grade AI technology with Janes domain-specific data to empower agencies to make decisions with speed, precision and confidence in secured, mission-critical environments.

Unlike general-purpose large language models, the IBM Defence Model is optimized for defence-specific tasks and deployable in air-gapped, classified, and edge settings. The model aligns with IBM’s focus on smaller fit-for-purpose, open-source AI models and datasets – developed and fine-tuned for specific domains and use cases – can deliver exceptional value and drive innovation. Built on IBM’s Granite foundation models and delivered via IBM watsonx.ai, the solution supports planning, reporting, and strategy.

“Defence organizations need AI they can trust – solutions that deliver accurate insights without compromising security or ethics,” said Vanessa Hunt, General Manager, Technology, U.S. Federal Market for IBM. “The IBM Defence Model provides a fit-for-purpose capability that accelerates mission planning and enhances operational readiness, while reinforcing IBM’s commitment to responsible AI.”

Key features and benefits:

• Defence specific training: trained on military doctrine, including Janes data, to understand domain-specific terminology and operational context. Unlike other models, IBM’s approach focuses on teaching the model how to interpret real-time data from trusted sources – like an intelligence analyst – rather than memorizing static datasets. This helps to reduce hallucinations and maintain mission relevance.
• Powered by IBM’s trusted technology: built on IBM’s Granite models, the world’s first open models to achieve ISO 42001 certification for AI governance.
• Secured deployment: supports air-gapped and classified environments for maximum security.
• Continuous intelligence updates: integrated with Janes dynamic defence intelligence data for operational relevance.
• Mission relevant use cases: defence planning, analyst reporting, document enrichment, wargaming, and simulation.

“Our collaboration with IBM brings together Janes trusted defence intelligence and IBM’s advanced AI capabilities,” said Blake Bartlett, CEO for Janes. “This model helps to ensure defence organizations can access timely, relevant insights in secured environments, helping them make informed decisions with confidence.”

The IBM Defence Model is now available. For more information, visit https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-ai/defense-model.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to effect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service. Visit www.ibm.com

Media contact:

Lorraine Baldwin
lorraine@ca.ibm.com