International Security

Defence in the World (Defence Relationships)

Key Facts

AUKUS Announcement

Key Facts

Military Assistance Donations to Ukraine

Key Facts

Details

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 over 30 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 Aeriel 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, were leaving London, Ontario, and heading to Europe. Members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) were trained in these vehicles earlier this month and further deliveries are anticipated in the coming weeks.
  • 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. At the 24th UDCG in September 2024, Minister Blair announced that this initial tranche had been delivered and that a further 80,000 CRV-7 rocket motors and warheads would be delivered over the coming months.
  • 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 complete 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 M113 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.

Operation UNIFIER

Key Facts

Details

• 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.
• The Department of National Defence has also been supporting the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence with capacity building efforts to enable institutional reform.

NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU)

• Since the July 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, NATO is taking a lead role in coordinating training and donations via the NSATU in order to centralize training delivery and activities at key NATO bases. This NATO initiative may require that CAF trainers on Operation UNIFIER move to other locations in Europe for future training delivery. No locations have been confirmed.
• Canada currently contributes 28 CAF members to NSATU, including a Brigadier-General as the NSATU Deputy Commanding General – Training.
• The CAF provides NSATU with personnel contributions to training, material assistance, and operational efforts.

Cyber Defence Support

• The CAF provides NSATU with personnel contributions to training, material assistance, and operational efforts.
• 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.
• The CAF provides NSATU with personnel contributions to training, material assistance, and operational efforts.
• 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 Canada (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.
  • Monitoring Russian malicious cyber activity targeting Canada, Ukraine, and NATO allies, and helping to ensure appropriate response measures are taken to mitigate impacts.
• 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. This information includes:
  • Cyber security vulnerabilities in critical networks;
  • Technical cyber threat information; and,
  • Unauthorized network access by malicious cyber actors.

Operation REASSURANCE

Key Facts

Details

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.
• 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 November 2024.
• The multinational Brigade is comprised of fourteen contributing nations, including Albania, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden.

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 and Op UNIFIER), 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 September 2024, the Task Force has delivered more than 22 million pounds of Canadian aid, as well as that of our Allies and partners, in support of Ukraine.

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.
• HMCS Charlottetown is deployed as the flagship of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, from June 9, 2024 to mid-December 2024.
• Canada has recently 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.

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, helicopters, and Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) within range. This represents a $227.5 million investment in Air Defence capability.
  • Canada is investing $46 million to acquire new counter-UAS equipment. The project will deliver counter-UAS systems, command and control hardware and software, sensors, electronic counter measures, and in service support and training. Initial operational capability for this new equipment is expected late 2024.

Cyber Defence Support to Latvia

• National Defence, in collaboration with the Canadian Security Establishment (CSE), has provided Cyber Defence assistance to the Latvian national Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT.LV) since May 2022.
• The 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.
  • 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. 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 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 CAF, the Cyber Centre, and its Latvian counterpart, CERT.LV.

Indo-Pacific Strategy (Including Op HORIZON)

Operation Overview

Background

Indo-Pacific Strategy

• Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy addresses five interconnected priorities relating to promoting peace, resilience and security which are most applicable to National Defence. Over the next five years, National Defence is investing in the following key initiatives:
  • $369.4 million to enhance our naval presence in the region and increase the number of warships deployed annually, from two to three.
  • $48.7 million to increase the participation of the CAF 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.
  • $6.5 million 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 NEON

• Operation NEON is Canada's contribution to a coordinated multinational effort to support the implementation of United Nations Security Council sanctions imposed against North Korea.
• Military ships, aircraft and personnel are deployed to conduct surveillance operations to identify maritime sanctions evasion activities, in particular ship-to-ship transfers of banned commodities.
• One CP-140 aircraft is currently deployed and conducting surveillance flights under this Operation.

Current and Upcoming Deployments to the Region:

• August to November 2024: HMCS Vancouver is conducting port visits throughout the region and joint sails with allied and partner nations. The keystone activity will be participation in Ex KAKADU with Australia, Ex SAMA SAMA with the Philippines, and Ex KEEN SWORD with Japan.
• September 2024: CP-140 Aurora deployed to Japan under Op NEON.
• November 2024 to February 2025: HMCS Ottawa will conduct port visits throughout the region and joint sails with allied and partner nations.

International Evacuations

Key Facts

Details

Operation SAVANNE

• Op SAVANNE was the CAF's response to the deteriorating security situation in Sudan.
• Approximately 200 CAF members were deployed to the region, in addition to members serving onboard HMCS Montréal and its embarked CH-148, MV Astérix, and two CC-130J Hercules.
• Two CC-130J Hercules conducted a total of six flights out of Wadi Seidna Airbase, north of Khartoum, evacuating over 530 people, including Canadian Entitled Persons and citizens of allied and like-minded nations.

Operation ION

• Op ION was the CAF's operation in support of Global Affairs Canada to provide for the transportation of Canadian Entitled Persons and Foreign Nationals from Tel Aviv, Israel to Athens, Greece.
• Between October 12 and 23, 2023, the CAF conducted 19 assisted departure flights, evacuating over 1,650 people to safety. There were approximately 236 CAF personnel that were directly supporting these assisted departure flights.
• Separately, CAF members have also provided liaison and planning capability to GAC to support multiple crossings at the Gaza-Egypt Rafah border, resulting in the evacuation of approximately 600 Canadians and permanent residents.

Potential Evacuation of Lebanon

• In October 2023, the CAF launched Op LUMEN, to support GAC with the potential evacuation or assisted departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members from Lebanon.
  • A Task Force headquarters was stood up in Cyprus and the CAF was integrated into the multinational Non-Combatant Evacuation operations Coordination Centre, where they worked with Cypriot authorities in order to be poised to respond in a coordinated fashion should an assisted departure be needed.
  • At the height of Op LUMEN, there were over 400 CAF members deployed to the region.
  • Op LUMEN was concluded in December 2023.
• As tensions between Israel and Hezbollah escalate further, the CAF has once again deployed to the region to assist GAC with contingency planning for a potential evacuation.
• Since October 2023, GAC has issued numerous statements urging Canadians to leave Lebanon while commercial options remain available. In these statements, GAC has emphasized that the escalating violence between Hezbollah and Israel could deteriorate without further warning and has noted that assisted departures or evacuations for Canadians are not guaranteed in such situations.
• Notably, the CAF has conducted an evacuation of Lebanon before, as part of Op LION, in 2006.
  • Evacuation of Canadians began on July 19, 2006, and ended on August 15, 2006. In total, almost 15,000 people were evacuated from Lebanon as part of this operation.