Operations

On this Page

• Description
• Quality of life impacts
• Results and targets
• Plans to achieve results
• Key risks
• Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
• Related government priorities
• Program inventory

Description

Detect, deter and defend against threats to or attacks on Canada. Assist civil authorities and law enforcement, including counter-terrorism, in support of national security, domestic disasters or major emergencies, and conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.

Detect, deter and defend against threats to or attacks on North America in partnership with the United States, including through NORAD.

Lead and/or contribute forces to NATO and coalition efforts to deter and defeat adversaries, including terrorists, to support global stability. Lead and/or contribute to international peace operations and stabilization missions with the United Nations, NATO and other multilateral partners. Engage in capacity building to support the security of other nations and their ability to contribute to security and the security of Canadians abroad while adhering to Canadian standards on Human Rights and the Law of Armed Conflict. Assist civil authorities and non-governmental partners in responding to international and domestic disasters or major emergencies.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the "Good Governance" domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and, more specifically, "Democracy and Institutions," through all of the activities mentioned in the core responsibility description.

For more information, please refer to the Quality of Life Hub and the Quality of Life Framework for Canada.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Operations, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024–25.

The financial, human resources and performance information for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

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Plans to achieve results

Canadians are protected against threats to and attacks on Canada

In FY 2024-25, 

Defence will advance efforts to detect threats to Canada and protect Canadians. Defence will:

• Complement and enhance civilian resources with unique capabilities, including military in extremis personnel and equipment when responding to Requests for Assistance (RFAs) on an as-needed basis and only at the request of the provincial authority through the Minister of Public Safety;
• Enhance its abilities to collect, analyze, and share intelligence products to ensure a robust understanding of intelligence areas of interest;
• Conduct operational-level engagement with other government departments and agencies to enhance interoperability and mutual support as outlined in the Federal Emergency Response Plan and in support of CAF operations. Liaison officers are co-located at the Government Operations Centre, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and with Defence's Continental Allies;
• Work with other Canadian authorities and agencies in support of law enforcement and national security. Defence support to law enforcement agencies will only occur when duly authorized and will only be conducted when specifically directed by Defence chain of command. Anticipated operations will include support to Parks Canada for avalanche control in Rogers Pass, British Columbia;
• Continuing to complement and enhance provincial resources with unique capabilities when responding to RFAs including natural disasters, such as Operation LENTUS. RFAs have increased over the past decade and are anticipated to continue. While the CAF must remain a force of last resort for emergencies, the increased demand for the CAF to respond to both the deteriorating world security situation and increased RFAs could adversely affect military readiness and aggravate current personnel shortfalls. The simultaneous demand to support both domestic and expeditionary operations will also affect the ability of the CAF to complete required force generation activities;
• Conduct Operation LIMPID to detect threats to Canada 's security as early as possible. The CAF keeps a routine watch over Canada's air, maritime, land, space, and cyber domains. It also maintains a physical presence in some areas; and
• Remain postured to identify, confront and defeat threats to Canadians and Canadian interests at home and abroad through the ability to integrate special operations forces effects, both within the inter-agency domain and through strengthened collaboration with whole-of government partners.

People in distress receive effective search and rescue response

As a partner of the National Search and Rescue Program, the CAF will remain focused on the primary responsibilities of providing aeronautical SAR and coordinating the aeronautical and maritime SAR system along with the Canadian Coast Guard.

The CAF will continue to leverage the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA) to support activities related to aeronautical SAR operations coordinated by the CAF, including:

• Train volunteers;
• Conduct SAR operations in conjunction with the CAF;
• Implement new capabilities such as remotely piloted aerial systems to improve SAR operations, a national training academy, a national safety program, and the development of northern zones; and,
• Raise awareness of the SAR system in the aviation community.

As technologies and conditions motivate people to venture further into challenging environments and regions, the CAF SAR enterprise continues to evolve with modern equipment and technologies in an effort to reduce the amount of search time required to locate those in distress on land and on the waters within the area of international commitment. In FY 2024-25, the SAR enterprise, as well as partners in CASARA, will continue to roll out cell phone detection and location finding equipment on CC-130 Hercules aircraft. At the same time work will progress to embody this capability on replacement/upgrade aircraft including respective Kingfisher Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue and Cormorant Mid-Life Upgrade programs so that it is available when they enter operational service in the coming years.

At the request of local and regional police authorities, Canadian Rangers will extend support to ground search and rescue in northern, remote, isolated, and sparsely populated communities.

Canada's arctic sovereignty is preserved and safeguarded

The Canadian Arctic covers 40% of Canada's territory and its physical and strategic environment is rapidly changing, raising the importance of the region for Canada's security and defence. While there is no clear and present threat to Canadian sovereignty, DND/CAF cannot assume this will always be the case. Since 2020, Russia continues development of their Arctic Region, Northern Fleet and Arctic military facilities and bases. China published the China's Arctic Policy in early 2018, in which it refers to itself as a "near-Arctic state" and expresses growing interest in the Arctic.

In FY 2024-25, Defence will contribute to assure sovereignty and security in Canada's Arctic and northern regions, including:

• Maintain a year-round presence in Canada's North and routinely conducting training and operations in the region;
• Enhance defence intelligence by prioritizing Arctic Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance; and,
• Work collaboratively with both Arctic and non-Arctic allies and partners to coordinate and face security challenges together; and to strengthen Defence’s domain awareness, surveillance, and command and control capabilities through a wide range of initiatives in the Arctic.

Defence will support Arctic sovereignty operations and further contribute to climate awareness in the High North. It will foster the relationship with Canadian Ice Services with the forward deployment of ice forecasters on the Royal Canadian Navy’s (RCN) Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels (AOPV).

To exercise the defence of Canada and to secure our northern regions, Defence will:

• Participate in the Joint Pacific Mission Readiness Centre (JPMRC) exercise in Alaska, in conjunction with United States Army Pacific in either a Battalion (JPMRC 26) or Company (JPMRC 25) Group format to deepen expertise in coalition operations in the Arctic region; and,
• Force generate company-sized (120-150 soldiers) elements for Operation NANOOK NUNAKPUT in August 2024, and Operation NANOOK NUNALIVUT in March 2025.

Underpinning planned northern operations, will be individual training, including the Arctic Operations Course, which is supported by Canadian Rangers. This course prepares CAF personnel to operate in the region from a cultural, climate and geographic perspective.

There is a persistent presence of 1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group in 64 of the 72 communities in the Arctic. Canadian Rangers observe and report local atmospherics, suspicious activities and other environmental factors as well as maintain a footprint and establish Canadian Armed Forces liaison presence in most communities in the Arctic. Allies and partners will be afforded opportunities to develop their own skills in the Arctic by sending personnel to select Canadian training opportunities. Much of this training will take place at the Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Training Centre in Resolute Bay, Nunavut. Indigenous partners will be engaged in support of this endeavour.

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North America is defended against threats and attacks

In 2022, the Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) Canada's Defence Policy identified requirement to modernize NORAD was realized through a government announcement of a $38.6 billion investment in NORAD over the next 20 years. This plan will deliver on successive government commitments, including the 2021 Canada-United States Joint Statement on NORAD Modernization and the 2023 Joint Prime Minister-President of the United States Statement to ensure Defence can detect, deter, and defend against evolving continental aerospace threats, alongside the United States. NORAD modernization will take place through a phased, long-term approach that will require deeper engagement with partners and stakeholders, including Indigenous partners, to support NORAD and Defence's ability to protect against new and emerging military threats to Canada and North America more broadly.

Canada's plan to enhance NORAD capabilities will focus on modernizing Canada's surveillance, command, control, communications, and air weapons systems; strengthening infrastructure and support capabilities to sustain a strong military presence across the country; and establishing dedicated science and technology for the defence of North America. It will also help support Defence's engagement abroad, while reinforcing NATO's western flank at a time when autocratic regimes are threatening the rules-based international order. For additional information related to NORAD modernization and the progress made to modernize Canada's continental defence, please refer to the following websites:

• NORAD modernization projects and areas of investment; and
• Funding for Continental Defence and NORAD Modernization.

NORAD will continue its rapid developmental effort in support of its domain awareness, information dominance, decision superiority, and global integration strategic priorities. NORAD and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), working in close collaboration with the United States Air Force Advanced Battle Management System, will persist with leveraging emerging cloud technologies and accelerating digital innovation. Moreover, NORAD will, in coordination with the United States Chief Digital Artificial and Intelligence Office and USNORTHCOM, continue to support the Global Information Dominance Experiment to advance the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning in support of decision making.

Defence will seek to adjust to the rapidly shifting global security environment and deter aggression by pursuing and employing a capable defence based all-domain awareness, information dominance, decision superiority, and global integration. Defence will leverage a wide array of capabilities, authorities, and activities to defend North America, including:

• Use existing resources within NORAD;
• Continue investments announced within FY 2022-23; and
• Pursue additional resources through prioritized budget and planning cycles where necessary.

NORAD regularly conducts exercises and operations in the Arctic that cover a range of scenarios to ensure Defence is ready to respond to a full spectrum of threats.

Canadian Armed Forces contribute to a more stable and peaceful world

Defence will continue to conduct operations and exercises throughout FY 2024-25 to contribute to a more stable and peaceful world. These activities will contribute to the following priorities:

• Global integration;
• Respond to natural disasters;
• Deter aggression;
• Contribute to peace support operations and peacekeeping in support of regional stability;
• Improve abilities to detect, recognize, and understand operational threats;
• Develop defence and security capabilities of partner forces;
• Support NATO;
• Promote the inclusion of women in peace and security operations; and,
• Contribute to the prevention of the unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers and the Vancouver Principles.

For a detailed list of current, past and future military operations and exercises, please refer to the CAF Operations and exercises website.

In response to the direct threat from hostile and malign actors, DND/CAF will uphold the rules-based international order by fostering a more stable and peaceful world together with Canada's allies. This will be achieved through continued development of the defence and security capabilities of partner forces, responding to natural disasters and humanitarian crises, operating in maritime environments, deterring aggression, and contributing to peace support operations and peacekeeping in support of regional stability.

In support of NATO, Defence will:

• Stand up the NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence;
• Contribute to NATO assurance and deterrence measures in Central and Eastern Europe under Operation REASSURANCE: This operation is Canada’s enhanced contribution to the biggest reinforcement of the Alliance’s collective defence in a generation, and Canada’s largest overseas mission, with up to 2,200 CAF members to be persistently deployed. Canada will continue implementing the three-phased approach to scaling the current Canada-led multinational Enhanced Forward Presence (FBP) Battle Group to a combat-capable multinational NATO Forward Land Forces (FLF) Brigade, increasing the deployment of CAF personnel and capabilities in Latvia and will carry on leading efforts to scale the combat-capable battle group to brigade size;
• Contribute to ongoing NATO missions (Op REASSURANCE) by providing meteorological support in forward-deployed areas through the modernization of the Canadian Forces Weather and Oceanographic service;
• Advance military training, professionalization, and capacity building in support of the Security Forces of Ukraine and in defence of Ukrainian sovereignty, freedom, and independence under Operation UNIFIER. Since its inception, Canada has provided training to more than 38,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel, helping Ukraine restore its security and territorial integrity, and supports Ukraine’s broader defence reform objectives, advancing its Euro-Atlantic ambitions. In FY 2024-25, the department anticipates providing the following security commitments and arrangements:
  • Security assistance and modern military equipment, across land, air, and sea domains – prioritizing air defence, artillery and long-range fires, armored vehicles, and other key capabilities, such as combat air, and by promoting increased interoperability with Euro-Atlantic partners;
  • Support to further develop Ukraine's defence industrial base;
  • Training and training exercises for Ukrainian forces;
  • Intelligence sharing and cooperation;
  • Support for cyber defence, security, and resilience initiatives, including to address hybrid threats;
  • Support for the Joint Coalition on F-16 Training to support the training of Ukrainian pilots;
  • A commitment of $650 million over 3 years for armoured vehicles produced in Canada for Ukraine's long-term security; and
  • Collaborating with Global Affairs Canada to counter Russian state disinformation.
• Provide logistical and headquarters support to the NATO Kosovo Force through Operation KOBOLD ; and,
• Participate in capacity building across the Caribbean and Middle East to improve regional stability through the development and strengthening of partner forces.

The CAF will continue to play a role in United Nations peacekeeping operations, including:

• Operation SOPRANO: Assist with military planning and logistics in the Republic of South Sudan;
• Operation CROCODILE: Support the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo;
• Operation JADE: Support to the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, which is responsible for monitoring compliance with the cease-fire between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria;
• Operation SNOWGOOSE: Support to United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus mission to supervise ceasefire lines, maintain a buffer zone, undertake humanitarian activities and support the good offices mission of the Secretary-General; and
• Operation PRESENCE: Contribute to the Government of Canada’s (GoC) peace operations strategy by supporting UN needs to sustain its missions through the delivery of critical resources to military and police personnel as well as civilian staff on peace support operations in multiple locations across the African continent.

The CAF will continue participating in a separate peacekeeping mission, Operation CALUMET, as part of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO), an independent peacekeeping operation in the Sinai Peninsula and headquartered in Rome, Italy. The MFO’s mandate is to observe, report, and verify violations of the Treaty of Peace and Agreed Arrangements and facilitate the continuing peace between Israel and Egypt.

Additionally in FY 2024-25, the CAF will contribute to regional efforts to respond to the ongoing security, political, and humanitarian crises in Haiti.

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DND/CAF will uphold its commitment toward protecting regional security and maintaining a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific through defence and security elements of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy:

• Operation HORIZON: Enhance CAF conventional and special operations forces presence in the Indo-Pacific on a persistent basis to demonstrate that Canada is an an engaged and reliable partner in the region now, and in the years to come. This operation deepens relationships with Canada’s allies and partners in maritime environments around the world by conducting training, exercises and engagements with foreign navies and other international security partners. It also supports NATO Maritime Command, United States Naval Forces and other allied operations. This includes responsible engagement with partners across the Indo-Pacific region to foster cooperation and mutual respect between nations, as well as to strengthen regional peace and stability;
• Operation NEON: Support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea. This operation further enhances the CAF’s regional presence, capacity-building efforts, and relationships with Canada’s allies and regional partners through training, exercises and engagements with foreign forces;
• Expand security cooperation with regional partners such as Japan and the Republic of Korea;
• Enhance defence cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and North Pacific partners to promote regional peace and stability, including addressing common traditional and non-traditional security challenges in the region;
• Continue Canada's persistent contribution to the multinational United Nations Command based in the Republic of Korea. This demonstrates Canada's resolve in standing with key Canadian allies and partners to create conditions conducive to peaceful, diplomatic solutions on the Korean Peninsula;
• Enhance security and defence contribution by committing additional resources to the region and increase engagement in international exercises and operations; and
• Expand existing military capacity building initiatives and launch new training programs that advance joint priorities and interoperability with regional partners, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam, including in the area of Women, Peace and Security. In FY 2024-25 Defence will advance Operation MANTIS together with Global Affairs Canada to  strengthen the ability of the Malaysian Armed Forces, to respond effectively to Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear threats.

The CAF will periodically operate in maritime environments globally, to conduct activities such as:

• Operation ARTEMIS: Contribute to maritime security and counter terrorism operations in the Arabian Sea;
• Operation CARIBBE: Contribute to United States led enhanced counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Basin, the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the coastal waters of Central America;
• Operation RENDER SAFE: Conduct clearance diving and explosive ordnance disposal collaborative project work with international partners to search for, locate and dispose of explosive remnants of World War II. These unexploded ordnances are found on land and in shallow water along the coastline of the Solomon Islands; and
• Operation OPEN SPIRIT: Conduct clearance diving and explosive ordnance disposal to clear remnants of war along the shoreline and under water along the coastline in the Baltic Sea, off of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia.

Defence will share timely and relevant intelligence with the Five Eyes alliance, and NATO partners, while maintaining commitments in the processing, use, and dissemination of intelligence at home and abroad. Specifically, Canadian Forces Intelligence Command supports the GoC response to the crisis through provision of intelligence to Defence and other government departments and agencies. This intelligence support is critical to activate contingency plans, enable requests for assistance domestically and provide intelligence to other government departments tasked by the GoC. Defence will contribute analytical support to Interdepartmental Task Forces as required and provide timely and relevant strategic-level intelligence to allies and partners, including in support to the ongoing conflicts worldwide in accordance with GoC priorities.

The Joint Intelligence Operations Centre (JIOC) will provide an integrated, pan-domain, all-source intelligence production, target development, and Joint Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (JISR) collection operations capability which prioritizes and synchronizes fused intelligence support to operational commanders and DND/CAF strategic decision-makers. In FY 2024-25, the JIOC will deliver improved relevance of the outputs of its 24/7 intelligence watch capability, advance the depth and quality of its targeting products in support of NATO and other partners, and contribute to the ongoing planning and development of the National Defence Operations and Intelligence Centre. The JIOC will provide intelligence support to the development of Canadian, Five Eyes, and NATO targets. The JIOC will work closely with NATO and the Five Eyes allies to provide intelligence support to Target Development, full motion video analysis and validate targets through formal sharing agreements.

Defence will action findings of the counter-intelligence internal review towards completion of the reinvigoration of Defence's counter-intelligence function, which was initiated in September 2022 to ensure that insider threats, or threats posed by hostile intelligence services are effectively countered. A fulsome internal review resulted in a better appreciation of the required selection, training and employment of counter-intelligence personnel for today's security environment, including capability development requirements.

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Key risks

Several risks can affect the department's ability to achieve its Departmental Results, including:

Cyber Intrusion – There is a risk of serious harm (e.g., loss of sensitive data, disruption to the network, physical electronic damage, loss of confidence in institution/reputation) resulting from a cyber intrusion.

Military Strength – The heightened and persistent demand on the CAF to address deteriorating global security and provide federal domestic response in the absence or overwhelm of civilian capabilities, may result in inadequate resources, negatively impacting military readiness and exacerbating existing personnel shortages, hindering the fulfillment of its core mission set outlined in defence policy.

As the Defence Departmental Results Framework reflects a chain of delivery from conceiving of the required armed forces, to developing them and then executing operations, the activities to mitigate the risks to Operations can also be found in the core responsibilities which deliver building blocks that enable the results of Operations.

Snapshot of planned resources in 2024–25

• Planned spending: $2,280,404,320
• Planned full-time resources: 2,400

Related government priorites

Gender-based analysis plus

All Defence mission activities will continue to implement the Vancouver Principles and promote the inclusion of women in peace and security (WPS) agenda and Gender-based Analysis (GBA) Plus by considering and applying intersectional perspectives throughout all phases of operations. More specifically, GBA Plus considerations will be incorporated into the planning process for all engagements to inform the development of objectives, criteria, and scope.

Full-time gender advisors and gender focal points are maintained in every named operation to advise commanders and staff on the conduct of GBA Plus and in the use of findings in the planning and execution of all operations with expert support from Director Gender Equality and Intersection Analysis.

Further, all deployed personnel complete training in GBA Plus to progress the integration of its findings, as well as the analysis of relevant issues raised in the WPS agenda, into current and planned operations and exercises.

Integrating intersectional gender perspectives into the planning and conduct of operations increases understanding of the effects of operations on vulnerable groups, improves situational and cultural awareness, and ensures Defence is cognizant of the gender considerations that support mission success. For example, the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) continuously manages and monitors the appointment of trained, qualified and mentored Gender Focal Point personnel across command functions and units. While a specialized information technology module is being continuously updated for optimal support to the WPS agenda, supplemental data collection on deployed operations is carried out concurrently using other existing information systems to properly advise the chain of command and improve gender and diversity focus at various levels.

In FY 2024-25, Defence will focus on its new implementation plan under Canada's Third National Action Plan on WPS for 2023-2029. The department will advance the WPS agenda through a focus on core issue areas that cover internal institutional change with regards to systems, structures, and culture, as well as both domestic and international military operations. The effectiveness of military planning and activities will be enhanced by incorporating WPS knowledge and principles into international engagements, approaches to intelligence, the prevention and response to the recruitment and use of girl and boy child soldiers, as well as understanding the nexus of gender inequality and evolving issues (e.g., climate change on peace and security, cybersecurity, and the prevention and countering of violent extremism). GBA Plus and the WPS agenda research and lessons will therefore strengthen operation orders, contingency plans, guidance to task force commanders and reporting mechanisms; tailored training and supports for deployed gender advisors and gender focal points; and continuous updates to the content of professional development, pre-deployment training and exercises.

More information on GBA Plus can be found in the GBA Plus Supplementary Information Tables section of this report.

United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the UN sustainable development goals

More information on the Department of National Defence's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) can be found in the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Indigenous relations

Indigenous peoples have historically contributed to the Canada's defence and continue to be trusted partners in ensuring our collective safety and security. DND/CAF is committed to reconciliation and to work in collaboration with Inuit, First Nations, and Métis communities while delivering on its mandate.

While the Canadian Rangers is  not an Indigenous program, by virtue of the demographics of the communities where the Canadian Rangers are based, a significant proportion hail from the First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. Drawing upon the significant Indigenous representation within their ranks, the knowledge and unique experience to operate in remote, isolated and coastal regions of Canada contributes to the overall capacity of the CAF. From Inuit Nunangat and the territories to the coasts of British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador, including Northern Quebec, Ontario and the Prairies, Canadian Rangers support national security and public safety operations across Canada.

Joint Task Force North routinely engages Indigenous partners as part of its planning for activities in the Arctic, such as through Operation NANOOK, CAF's signature Northern operation, or through the biannual Arctic Security Working Group.

Each year, the conduct of Op NANOOK includes community relations activities where soldiers interact with communities to build relationship and trust. This applies to NUNAKPUT and NUNALIVUT, led by the land forces, and TUUGAALIK, led by the naval forces.

The Mobilizing Insight in Defence and Security program study from September 2022 provided a detailed overview of the region and many considerations incorporating various topics related to Indigenous facets and the value of engaging with communities and their members. The document continues to be a reference for capability development and other plans.

Activities taken by Defence to seek mutually beneficial solutions to defence challenges are underscored by the following initiatives:

• NORAD Modernization Northern Basing Infrastructure project planning and the early engagements for it; and,
• Inuvik runway extension work, the maintenance of Canadian Forces Station Alert and Indigenous Reconciliation Program.

Program inventory

Operations is supported by the following programs:

• Operations in Canada;
• Operations in North America;
• International Operations;
• Global Engagement;
• Cyber Operations;
• Command, Control and Sustainment of Operations; and
• Special Operations.

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to the DND/CAF program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

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