CDIA members are Canadian companies that consider the Department of National Defence or foreign defence departments as customers or potential customers. The products and services offered by these companies virtually cover the complete spectrum of products and services in the market place. Some are specialized military equipment or related to specialized military equipment. Many of the products and services are commercial goods and services that are also sold in the commercial marketplace. Many CDIA members produce only commercial products and services some of which they provide to National Defence.
Some members produce both specialized military and commercial products and services.
A small number of CDIA members produce only specialized military products and services. The CDIA and Other Associations Many Corporate Members of the CDIA that produce commercial goods and services are also members of other industry associations the association that represents the industry sector of the company's product line. The CDIA aims to complement the activities of the sector association by focusing on national defence matters at a level not undertaken by the sector association and by providing valuable defence context not normally achievable by the sector association. The CDIA does not compete with sector associations and avoids duplication of effort. The CDIA makes membership in it attractive for companies that belong to other sector associations by providing excellent value for modest membership fees.