International Security

Defence in the World (Defence Relationships)

• As outlined in Our North, Strong and Free, Canada has always believed that a multilateral approach is critical to the effective execution of our defence mandate.
• That is why we have many defence partnerships on the continent and around the globe – including NORAD, NATO and the Five Eyes – and we also continue to forge new ones.
• We are strengthening engagement with our Nordic Allies, recognizing our shared values and affinities as Arctic nations along NATO's Northern Flank.
• This increased cooperation will support peace and prosperity in the Arctic and polar regions in support of integrated global deterrence and defence and help meet emerging security challenges.
• For instance, Canada recently signed a trilateral letter of intent with Germany and Norway to establish a strategic partnership in support of NATO's deterrence and defence.
• We also continue to work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region by maintaining an increased defence presence.
• This supports the Indo-Pacific's peace, resilience, and stability, and helps uphold an international system based on the rule of law.
• These are just a few of the defence partnerships that Canada maintains, and we will continue to work collaboratively with partners and allies around the world to advance our shared security interests.

If pressed on AUKUS:

• Canada remains deeply interested in pursuing future collaborative opportunities as a part of specific AUKUS Pillar 2 projects.
• We welcomed the April 2024 joint announcement that AUKUS members have agreed upon principles and models for this type of additional partner engagement.
• Canada looks forward to continuing to work with all allies and partners to meaningfully contribute to promoting peace, resilience, and security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.

Responsible Principals: Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Strategic Joint Staff

August 28, 2024

Military Assistance Donations to Ukraine

• Canada remains committed to Ukraine and we are working closely with our Allies and partners to ensure that they have the training and equipment needed to defend their sovereignty and security.
• Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, we have committed $4.5 billion in military assistance funding to Ukraine.
• As part of this commitment, we signed a historic security cooperation agreement with Ukraine in February 2024, and continue to invest in critical procurement and training initiatives.
• This includes $650 million to provide Ukraine with 50 state-of-the-art Armoured Combat Support Vehicles, built in Canada.
• The first ten of these vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine this fall.
• Moreover, we are proud to assume a lead role in training F-16 pilots for Ukraine under the Air Force Capability Coalition, including investing $389 million to provide pilot and maintenance instructors, English language training, and critical equipment.
• We also continue to provide Canadian Armed Forces surplus equipment to Ukraine, including Nanuk Remote Weapons Systems, CRV7 rocket motors, surplus firearms, and small arms ammunition.
• As announced during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in early September, Canada will donate and transport 80,840 additional CRV-7 rocket motors and 1,300 warheads to Ukraine.
• Further, in response to specific requests from Ukraine, Canada will donate decommissioned chassis from 29 M113s and 64 Coyote LAVs, which the Ukrainians will use for spare parts to keep their vehicles maintained.
• I remain in discussion with Ukrainian officials to determine what equipment we can provide to them to fulfill their most urgent needs.

If pressed on National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) donation delays:

• Canada has financed the purchase of the NASAMS through the United States government.
• The NASAMS is expected to be delivered to Ukraine in early 2025.
• We remain in close contact with the US and Ukraine about this purchase, and we look forward to sharing additional information as it becomes available.
• Our $76 million donation to Germany's Air Defence initiative is part of this effort to help supply Ukraine with much-needed air defence systems.

If pressed on donations falling into the wrong hands:

• Our position remains that we are not – nor will we be – providing support to Azov and affiliated extremist entities.
• Canadian donations of military aid are provided exclusively to the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
• Ukraine's Armed Forces have signed a declaration with National Defence that all weapons provided will not be transferred to any other entity.

Background

Military Aid Committed Since February 2022

• Military equipment requested by Ukraine, including personal protective equipment, night vision gear, medical supplies, helmets, and other highly specialized pieces of military equipment;
• A National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) and associated missiles;
• 8 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and 1 armoured recovery vehicle (ARV);
• 39 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs);
• 208 commercial pattern armoured vehicles;
• 50 armoured vehicles, including armoured medical evacuation vehicles;
• Heavy artillery, including 4 M777 Howitzers and related ammunition;
• 10 rigid hull multirole boats, with operator training;
• Over 10,800 pieces of personal protective equipment, such as ballistic helmets, night vision wear, gas masks, and body armour;
• Over 305 AIM missiles for air defence systems;
• 76 high resolution cameras;
• Over 33,600 military-grade small arms and approximately 14 million rounds of ammunition;
• Engineering munitions and demining equipment;
• Defensive construction equipment;
• Anti-armour weapons systems and rocket launchers;
• Over 640,000 individual meal packs;
• Winter clothing and equipment;
• High-resolution satellite imagery.
• Military equipment provided from 2015 to January 2022 included body armour, communications gear, and explosive disposal equipment.

Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG)

• The UDCG was created to provide a strategic mechanism to identify critical equipment needs and gaps for Ukraine, allow Allies and partners to de-conflict donations, to consult and coordinate assistance to Ukraine, and to build the Armed Forces of Ukraine's (AFU) long-term capabilities. The UDCG brings together over 50 countries.
• The 18th UDCG in January 2024 marked the first iteration of UDCG 2.0, for which meetings will now take place every three months, in person, and focus on updates from the nine Capability Coalitions, namely, the Armour, Artillery, Air Defence, Air Force, Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Maritime, Information Technology (IT), Special Operations, and Demining Coalitions.
• Canada's priority objectives for the UDCG include supporting the efforts of Allies and partners to coordinate military assistance donations and the delivery of urgent priority equipment to Ukraine, facilitating longer-term capabilities development by the AFU, reinforcing concrete Canadian commitments to Ukraine, and providing an update on Canada's new military assistance commitment to Ukraine.

Security Assistance Group-Ukraine (SAG-U)

• The CAF is working alongside 17 other nations as part of the US-led Security Assistance Group. Approximately 21 CAF members, led by a Brigadier-General, are actively helping to facilitate the transfer of aid, working to align future donations, and planning for the immediate and long-term training needs of the AFU in concert with our Allies and partners. The Canadian Army Brigadier-General is also employed as the SAG-U Deputy Commanding General – Training to oversee training efforts.

Donation of Armoured Vehicles

• Parliamentarians have expressed an interest through Question Period and House Committees regarding providing Ukraine with divested military vehicles including Bison, Tracked Light Armoured Vehicles, and Coyotes.
• On September 22, 2023, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada would invest $650M to provide Ukraine with armoured vehicles, including medical evacuation vehicles.
  • On June 12, 2024, National Defence announced that the first four of 50 new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) built by Canadian Workers at General Dynamics Land Systems in London, Ontario, are leaving London, Ontario and heading to Europe later this month. Members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will be trained in their use this summer. The first ten of these vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine by fall 2024.
  • These state-of-the-art armoured vehicles will fulfil a wide variety of roles on the battlefield – including transporting troops, providing secure locations for command and control, and enabling medical evacuations.
• On April 26, 2022, Minister Anand announced that Canada finalized a contract for the purchase of eight commercial pattern armoured vehicles manufactured by Roshel, an armoured vehicle company based in Mississauga, Ontario. These vehicles were delivered in May 2022.
• In early August 2022, Canada finalized a procurement contract to supply Ukraine with 39 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles.
  • All of the vehicles have arrived in Europe, and related training was completed in December 2022.
  • The contract with General Dynamics also includes elements for repairs and servicing.
• On January 18, 2023, Minister Anand announced that Canada will supply Ukraine with 200 Roshel Senator Armoured Vehicles, valued at over $90 million.
  • The contract for these vehicles was sourced through the Canadian Commercial Corporation. The contract directly responds to Ukraine's request for this specific model of vehicle, which the AFU are experienced in operating, and for which Ukraine has already developed a sustainment plan.
  • Roshel was responsible for delivering the vehicles to Ukraine. Delivery was completed in summer 2023.

Donation of CRV7 Rockets

• On June 13, 2024, Minister Blair announced that Canada plans to send an initial tranche of over 2000 CRV7 rocket motors to Ukraine. The decommissioned rocket motors were previously used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on CF-18 fighter aircraft and were declared surplus by the CAF in August 2008.
  • Magellan Aerospace and Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) have been testing the rocket motors to ensure their viability following a request from the AFU for this equipment. Initial testing on the CRV7 motors indicates that the rockets' performance remains within acceptable standards, and further testing was completed ensure that the equipment can be safely packaged and transported. National Defence has secured the requisite waivers and permits to transport the equipment safely.

M113 Personnel Carriers

• Any equipment donated by Canada must be battlefield sustainable, but more importantly, must meet a specific need identified by Ukraine, and be equipment that the Ukrainians are trained to use and have the resources and capabilities to maintain.
• The remaining quantity of M113s not being employed by the CAF are either awaiting final demilitarization and disposal due to being in very poor condition or are being retained as a source of spare parts for the operational fleet.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel), Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)

September 6, 2024

Operation Unifier

• Canada will continue to help empower Ukrainians with the skills they need to defend their nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
• Currently, over 350 Canadian Armed Forces members are supporting ongoing training missions in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia while facilitating the delivery of military donations to Ukraine.
• This includes providing a range of training activities such as basic training, combat engineering, combat medic, and leadership development training to Ukrainian recruits.
• In fact, between March and July of this year alone, our UK Element trained 1,418 members of the Security Forces of Ukraine, increasing their lethality, survivability, and fighting abilities.
• Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 8,700 members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have received training under Operation UNIFIER.
• Canada has also committed over $4.5 billion in military assistance donations to Ukraine since February 2022.
• Taken together, Canada's military contributions, including training, equipment, and transport, have been integral to Ukraine's ongoing defence efforts.

If pressed on the F-16 fighter aircraft training:

• In May of last year, we announced that Canada would support the Danish and Dutch-led Joint Coalition Effort on F-16 training.
• Since then, we have participated in discussions and planning to assist in the development of a training program and to identify where Canada can best provide support.
• These planning efforts are focused on training students with no prior experience to become pilots, technicians, and support staff to operate the F-16 safely and effectively.
• We are also currently providing language training to Ukrainian candidates at the Canadian Forces Language School to facilitate the operation and training on the F-16 fighter platform, and have committed to continue language training to 2025.
• Additionally, Canada will provide Denmark with Maintenance Trainers to assist on courses, while also supporting France with their training by providing aircraft, pilot instructors, support staff and equipment.

Background

• Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) military training and capacity building mission in Ukraine, was launched in 2015 at the request of the Ukrainian government, and in 2023, was expanded and extended until March 2026.
• The CAF has been providing the Security Forces of Ukraine (SFU) with specialized training to support their professionalization, help improve their capability and capacity, and assist them in their efforts to align with NATO standards and practices.
• In addition to the delivery of training, Canada contributes around 30 CAF members under Operation UNIFIER towards Allied efforts to coordinate support to Ukraine.
• At the request of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the CAF has been bolstering Ukraine's cyber defence capabilities since early 2022.
  • This support includes the provision of 24/7 cyber security expertise, cyber threat intelligence, software tools, and engineering solutions to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.
• All CAF members who deploy on capacity building programs, including Operation UNIFIER, are trained to recognize symbols associated with right-wing extremism.
  • If counterparts or trainees are suspected of holding racist views or belonging to right-wing extremist elements, including viewpoints that are contrary to Canadian values and ethics, they are removed immediately from the training course.

Communications Security Establishment (CSE) Contributions

• CSE and its Cyber Centre received funding to provide specialized skills and expertise to support enhanced intelligence cooperation and cyber security through Op UNIFIER.
• Throughout the past year, CSE has continued to leverage its foreign intelligence mandate to support Ukraine's resistance to Russia's ongoing, unjustifiable invasion.
  • For example, CSE identified financial and industry entities used by the Russian government to support its ability to fund the war in Ukraine by circumventing international sanctions. Canada and its allies used this information to put pressure on international entities that continue to do business with Russia.
• In addition, CSE has produced actionable intelligence for the Government of Canada and its allies to:
  • detect and deter malicious Russian activity against Ukraine and other allies;
  • provide insights into military, political, and economic developments related to the invasion;
  • monitor Russian disinformation campaigns;
  • monitor malicious Russian cyber activity against Canada and allies;
  • help protect Canadian government and allied military personnel in Ukraine; and,
  • support Operation UNIFIER.
• The Cyber Centre has been working to support Ukraine and Latvia with cyber security since March 2022, when the Minister of National Defence signed 2 Ministerial Orders designating the electronic information and networks of Ukraine and Latvia as systems of importance (SOIs) to the Government of Canada.
  • This was the first time a Minister has used their powers under the CSE Act to designate entities outside Canada as SOIs. The designations allow CSE to provide cyber security assistance to help protect the designated entities.
• Over the past year, the Cyber Centre has continued to share information with both Latvia and Ukraine about cyber threats to their critical infrastructure.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)

August 29, 2024

Operation REASSURANCE

• Canada has played a leading role in NATO's defence and deterrence efforts through its deployment in Latvia since 2017.
• We continue to deploy ships, aircraft, and land forces under Operation REASSURANCE to support NATO's measures to deter further Russian aggression.
• In fact, we currently have approximately 2,000 Canadian Armed Forces personnel serving on Operation REASSURANCE – Canada's largest international deployment.
• Last fall, we deployed a Canadian Army Tank Squadron of 15 Leopard 2 tanks to the Battle Group in Latvia, and this summer we also deployed four Griffon helicopters.
• Further, this summer, we deployed HMCS Charlottetown to assume command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, as well as two Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels to contribute to the Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1.
• We will continue to work with our NATO Allies to enhance collective security and move to an augmented presence of 2,200 persistently deployed troops by 2026.

If pressed on when the Canadian-led brigade in Latvia will be created:

• Since Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine, we have taken steps to augment the capabilities of the current Battle Group in Latvia.
• We are now leading the establishment of the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia, which will be operational this fall.
• This November, the NATO Multinational Brigade will conduct its first collective training event and integrate into the NATO command structure.

Background

Battle Group Latvia

• As the Framework Nation in Latvia, Canada is responsible for coordinating with Latvia and the contributing nations to help set the tone, pace, and vision for this Battle Group, and for the Multinational Brigade structure.
• Over the coming months, the multinational Battle Group will be included in a broader multinational Brigade that Canada is working to operationalize while prioritizing infrastructure requirements with Latvia.
• The multinational Battle Group currently works within the Latvian Armed Forces' Infantry Brigade, conducting joint training to be able to respond effectively to an attack. It will transition to the multinational Canadian-led Brigade in October 2024.
• The multinational Brigade is comprised of twelve contributing nations, including Albania, Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

Maritime Task Force

• Since 2014, the CAF has deployed a warship on a persistent, rotational basis to be employed for exercises and operational tasks in the NATO Maritime Command's areas of responsibility.
• The HMCS Charlottetown is deployed as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, from June 9, 2024 to mid-December 2024.
• Canada has deployed two Maritime Coastal Defence Vessels (HMCS Shawinigan and HMCS Glace Bay) to Standing NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 1 from 1 July, 2024 to November 2024.

Air Task Force – Prestwick

• Established in March 2022, Prestwick is the main transport hub via which the CAF sustains various operations across the world, including in Central and Eastern Europe (Op REASSURANCE), the Middle East (Op IMPACT), and Africa.
• Canada contributes three CC 130J Hercules aircraft and up to 60 personnel to Air Task Force – Prestwick, which provides critical airlift capacity to Allies and transports military aid donations within Europe.
• As of August 2024, the Task Force has delivered more than 20 million pounds of Canadian aid, as well as that of our Allies and partners, in support of Ukraine.

Equipment

• Canada is procuring Portable Anti-Armour Missile Systems– including missiles, simulators, and associated supports – from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems for our forces in Latvia. These modern anti-tank weapons will better equip our soldiers to confront threats from our adversaries' main battle tanks, thus strengthening NATO's deterrence posture.
• Canada has deployed Medium Range Radar as part of the air defence capability for the Multinational Brigade. It will provide aerial surveillance for the brigade, as well as quickly and accurately identify air vehicles and munitions.
• In February 2024, the Minister of National Defence announced that Canada will procure new air defence and anti-drone capabilities for the NATO Battle Group in Latvia. These have been designated an Urgent Operational Requirement.
  • Canada has finalized contracts with Saab Canada Inc. to procure the RBS 70 NG short-range Air Defence System which will enable Canadian troops to defend themselves against fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters within its range, close air support aircraft and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). This represents a $227.5 million investment in Air Defence capability.
  • Canada is investing $46 million to acquire new counter-drone equipment. The project will deliver counter-UAS systems, command and control hardware and software, sensors, non-kinetic effectors, and in service support and training. Initial operational capability for this new equipment is expected late 2024.

Cyber Defence Support to Latvia

• DND/CAF, in collaboration with the Canadian Security Establishment (CSE), has been providing Cyber Defence assistance to the Latvian national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT.LV) since May 2022.
• The Canadian Security Establishment (CSE) Cyber Centre has been working to support Ukraine and Latvia with cyber security since March 2022, when the Minister of National Defence signed two Ministerial Orders designating the electronic information and networks of Ukraine and Latvia as systems of importance (SOIs) to the Government of Canada.
• Over the past year, the Cyber Centre has continued to share information with both Latvia and Ukraine about cyber threats to their critical infrastructure. This information includes cyber security vulnerabilities in critical networks, technical cyber threat information, and unauthorized network access by malicious cyber actors.
• At the request of our Latvian allies, CSE's Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre) has deployed personnel to help defend against cyber threats on Latvia's critical infrastructure and government networks. These deployments are part of a joint mission involving cyber security experts from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Cyber Centre, and its Latvian counterpart, CERT.LV.
• This joint mission has helped to defend a NATO Ally from adversarial cyber threats.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy), Canadian Security Establishment

August 29, 2024

Indo-Pacific Strategy (Operation HORIZON and Operation NEON)

• Through both our Indo-Pacific Strategy and Our North, Strong and Free, Canada, as a Pacific nation, recognizes that the stability of the Indo-Pacific is vital to our future prosperity and security.
• That is why we are making critical investments to bolster our presence and participation across the region.
• For example, the Royal Canadian Navy is promoting peace and resilience in the Indo-Pacific through the regular and persistent deployment of three ships annually to the region under Op HORIZON.
• Further, through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, we are investing $48.7 million to increase the Canadian Armed Forces' participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional allies.
• In fact, this year, the Canadian Armed Forces are participating in multilateral exercises from the Philippines to Mongolia to Australia – across land, air, sea and cyber domains.
• We have also launched a new Canadian-led military security cooperation program, offering tailored defence training, mentorship and expertise to partner forces in the region.
• Lastly, through Op NEON, Canada continues to contribute to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United National Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
• Together, these engagements directly support the promotion of peace, resilience, and stability in the region, and help uphold the rules-based international order.

If pressed on Chinese intercepts:

• On several occasions during Op NEON, there have been interactions between China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Canada's CP-140 long-range patrol aircraft.
• Canada has been clear in its expectation that any intercept be conducted in a safe and professional manner and refrain from impeding lawful operations in international airspace.
• When interactions with PLA aircraft occur and put the safety of our personnel at risk, these occurrences are addressed through military and diplomatic channels.

If pressed on Taiwan Strait transits:

• Taiwan Strait transits are conducted in full accordance with international law.
• On July 31, 2024, HMCS Montreal conducted a routine transit of the Taiwan Strait.
• Any interactions during this transit were safe and professional.
• These activities reaffirm Canada's commitment to peace and stability in the region and our opposition to unilateral actions that threaten the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.
• By deploying our ships to this region, we continue to reaffirm our commitment to a free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Background

Indo-Pacific Strategy

• Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy addresses five interconnected priorities for Canada, with promoting peace, resilience and security being the most applicable to National Defence.
• Through the Indo-Pacific Strategy, National Defence is investing in the following initiatives to support the defence and security in the region over the next five years, including:
  • $369.4 million dollars to enhance our naval presence in the region and increase the number of warships deployed annually, from two to three.
  • $48.7 million dollars to increase the CAF's participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional allies and partners with all elements of the CAF, along with consistent naval deployments.
  • $68.2 million to launch a new Canadian-led military security cooperation program, offering mentorship and expertise by delivering training and equipment directly to partner forces in the region. Of this amount, $7.6 million is earmarked for Women, Peace, and Security programming in Southeast Asia.
  • $6.5M to establish four new full-time civilian positions across the region to enhance Canada's regional understanding and deepen relationships with allies and partners.
  • Defence will also play a key role in the whole-of-government cyber initiative of the Indo-Pacific Strategy ($2.6M) by bolstering military-to-military cyber cooperation and sharing information and lessons learned with select partners in the region.

Operation HORIZON

• Since 2017, the Royal Canadian Navy has achieved a near-consistent presence in the Indo-Pacific under Op PROJECTION, wherein Canadian warships regularly deploy to the region to work with our allies and like-minded partners, including by conducting combined transits and exercises under Op PROJECTION.
• In 2023, Canada deployed three warships to the Indo-Pacific, delivering on the commitment that Canada made when it launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy in fall 2022.
• Op HORIZON replaced Op PROJECTION (Indo-Pacific) in summer 2023. Op HORIZON expanded the scope of PROJECTION from a naval forward presence mission to a CAF-wide joint forward-presence mission.
• Through Op HORIZON, the CAF will continue implementing the defence pillars of the IPS, enabling Canada to become a more active, engaged, and reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific.
• Op HORIZON has been authorized until March 31, 2028.

Operation NEON

• Launched in 2019, Op NEON is Canada's contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to monitor UN Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea.
• Op NEON sees military ships, aircraft and personnel deployed to conduct surveillance operations to identify maritime sanctions evasion activities, in particular ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other commodities banned by relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.
• Canada conducts these activities as part of a broader multinational initiative alongside partners in the Pacific Security Maritime Exchange (PSMX), which brings together Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States to disrupt North Korea's illicit smuggling activities.
• As part of Operation NEON, the CAF deploys a Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) Halifax-class frigate with an RCAF CH-148 Cyclone helicopter detachment, as well as an RCAF CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft with crew and supporting personnel on a rotational basis.
• In March 2023, the Government of Canada announced the renewal of Op NEON until April 30, 2026.

Canada-Philippines Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)

• On January 19, 2024, the Philippines and Canada signed an MOU on defence cooperation.
• This MOU will serve as the primary mechanism through which Canada can facilitate and coordinate cooperative activities with the Philippines in the areas of defence and security policy, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maritime security, among others. It will also serve as the basis for the negotiation of a follow-on Visiting Forces Agreement that will enable Canada to advance joint priorities and interoperability with regional partners, including the Philippines.

United Nations Peacekeeping Memorandum of Understanding

• On September 21, 2023, during the Canada-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue, Canada signed a United Nations Peacekeeping Cooperation MOU, allowing the CAF to share expertise on UN peacekeeping operations and support UN peacekeeping education and training efforts with Vietnam.
• Under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, Vietnam is a priority partner for military-to-military capacity building, including in the area of Women, Peace and Security.

Interactions with the People's Liberation Army Aircraft

• On several occasions, interactions have occurred between our CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft and aircraft of the People's Liberation Army during UNSC-sanction monitoring missions.
• The safety of Canadian Armed Forces members is of the highest priority in all operations.
• Canada has been clear in its expectation that all intercepts should be conducted in a safe and professional manner and refrain from impeding lawful operations in international airspace.
• On October 29, 2023, while deployed in support of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, HMCS Ottawa's embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter was conducting routine exercises in the South China Sea, when it was intercepted by the People's Liberation Army. Though the initial encounter was safe, two subsequent encounters were deemed unsafe.

Responsible Principals: Strategic Joint Staff, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Assistant Deputy Minister (Policy)

August 26, 2024