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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 through NORAD, NATO and the Five Eyes – and why we also continue to forge new ones.
  • For example, Canada signed a trilateral letter of intent with Germany and Norway to establish a strategic partnership in support of NATO's deterrence and defence in the North Atlantic in July 2024.
  • In addition, this October, I participated in the inaugural G7 Defence Ministers' Meeting in Italy where we issued a joint declaration to promote respect for the United Nations Charter and to oppose any action aimed at undermining the rules-based international order.
  • I have also had the opportunity to work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region, including traveling to the Republic of Korea and Japan to deepen relations with my counterpart.
  • Most recently, alongside Minister Joly, we hosted strategic (2+2) talks with the Republic of Korea in November.
  • These are just a few examples of how we are deepening Canada's defence partnerships.
  • We will continue to work collaboratively with partners and Allies around the world to advance our shared security interests.

Key Facts

Trilateral Letter of Intent with Germany and Norway

  • On July 10, 2024, Defence Ministers from Canada, Germany, and Norway signed a letter of intent to establish a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation in the North Atlantic, in support of NATO's deterrence and defence.
  • The emphasis of this agreement is on defence industry, supply chains, training, and operations. It complements other initiatives that Canada is exploring with Germany and European Allies and does not include discussion of submarines.

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Operation UNIFER

  • Canada will continue to 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 training missions in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia and facilitating the delivery of military donations to Ukraine.
  • This includes providing a range of training activities to Ukrainian soldiers including basic training, combat engineering, combat medic, and leadership development training.
  • Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, almost 10,000 Ukrainian soldiers have received training under Operation UNIFIER. Furthermore, Canada has committed over $4.5 billion in military assistance donations to Ukraine.
  • 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 2023, we announced that Canada would support the Danish and Dutch-led Joint Coalition Effort on F-16 training.
  • As a result of our efforts, Canada has taken over leadership of the Fighter Lead-In Training element of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group's Air Force Capability Coalition, backed by an investment of $389 million over five years in F-16 pilot training for Ukrainian personnel.
  • This includes advanced pilot training.
  • National Defence is also providing language training to Ukrainian pilot candidates at the Canadian Forces Language School. This will facilitate training on the F-16 fighter platform. We have committed to continue language training to 2025.
  • Additionally, Canada is providing Denmark with maintenance trainers to assist on courses, while also supporting France with their training by providing aircraft, pilot instructors, support staff and equipment.

Key Facts

  • Operation (Op) UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) military training, professionalization, and capacity building mission in Ukraine, was launched in 2015 at the request of the Ukrainian government
  • Canadian Armed Forces members have since trained over 43,000 Ukrainian military and security personnel.
  • As of September 2024, the CAF Air Mobility Detachment in Prestwick, UK, has transported over 23 million pounds of military aid, including aid from Allied and partner nations.

Current Training Missions:

  • United Kingdom – Recruit Training
    • Approximately 165 CAF personnel are deployed to the United Kingdom to train new Ukrainian military recruits in collaboration with the United Kingdom's Operation INTERFLEX.
    • To date, CAF personnel have trained approximately 6,000 Ukrainian recruits.
    • Training has been extended until mid-2025.
  • Poland – Combat Medic Training
    • Approximately 15 CAF members are providing medical training.
    • To date, the CAF has trained over 650 Ukrainian combat medics.
  • Poland – Sapper Training
    • Approximately 50 CAF Combat Engineers are instructing Ukrainian sappers on basic and advanced engineering skills.
    • To date, the CAF has trained approximately 1,870 Ukrainian sappers.
  • Latvia – Junior Officer Leadership Development Training
    • Approximately 14 CAF members are working with the Latvian National Armed Forces to deliver Junior Officer leadership development training.
    • To date, CAF personnel have trained approximately 750 junior Ukrainian military officers.

Details

  • Under Op UNIFIER, 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.
  • The mandate for Operation UNIFIER extends to March 2026.

NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU)

  • During the July 2024 NATO Summit in Washington, NATO announced plans to establish the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) to coordinate the provision of military equipment and training for Ukraine by Allies and partners. to assume a lead role in coordinating training and donations via the NSATU to centralize training delivery and activities at key NATO bases
  • Canada will continue its support to Ukraine by contributing 28 CAF members to NSATU, including a Brigadier-General as the NSATU Deputy Commanding General – Training, when the NSATU becomes fully operational. In the interim, six CAF personnel are working on-site with the NSATU.

Cyber Defence Support

  • Since the beginning of the conflict, at the request of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, the CAF has been bolstering Ukraine's cyber defence capabilities.
    • This support includes the provision of 24/7 cyber security expertise, cyber threat intelligence, software tools, and engineering solutions.
  • In October 2024, you announced the donation of up to $2 million to join the IT Capability Coalition and continue Canada's role in working with Ukraine to strengthen its cyber capabilities.

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 support Ukraine's resistance to Russia's ongoing, 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 that has allowed Canada and its allies to amongst other things 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; and protect Canadian government and allied military personnel in Ukraine.
  • 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 continuously shared information with Latvia and Ukraine about cyber threats to their critical infrastructure.

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Operation REASSURANCE

  • Operation REASSURANCE is Canada's largest international deployment, through which the Canadian Armed Forces are contributing to NATO defence and deterrence measures in Eastern Europe.
  • Over 2,000 of our military members are deployed on land, air and sea.
  • On the ground, Canada is playing a leadership role as the framework nation for NATO's Multinational Brigade – Latvia.
  • The Brigade Headquarters was established on July 3, 2024, and over the course of the summer, Canada made significant steps towards transitioning the Battle Group to a brigade-sized force.
  • This month, the Canadian Armed Forces also participated in the first Canadian brigade-level exercise in Europe in 30 years – Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 24, which saw the deployment of more than 3500 personnel, from 14 NATO countries.
  • Over 400 additional soldiers flew over from Canada as a demonstration of the Canadian Armed Force's ability to rapidly reinforce when needed.
  • In the air, our military task force has delivered more than 22 million pounds of aid – from Canada, our Allies and partners -- flying over 6,000 hours, in support of Ukraine.
  • On the sea, this past summer, we deployed HMCS Charlottetownto 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.

If pressed on when equipment will be delivered to forces in Latvia

  • In September, we delivered approximately 220 vehicles to our land forces in Latvia, including Light Armored Vehicles, Tactical Armoured Patrol Vehicles and the first 28 – of 90 -- new Light Tactical Vehicles.

Key Facts

NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia

  • Canada is leading a fourteen-nation multinational Brigade.
    • July 2023: The Latvian and Canadian Ministers of National Defence signed a roadmap for scaling the enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group up to a NATO Multinational Brigade.
    • January 2024: The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) deployed the Brigade Forward Coordination Element to begin conducting interoperability exercises with Allied forces and ensure seamless integration of command-and-control systems.
    • July 2024: The multinational Brigade Headquarters was established and integrated into the NATO command structure.
    • November 2024: The first Brigade-level Field Training Exercise, Exercise RESOLUTE WARRIOR 24, began on 1 November, 2024 and is now completed. Canada led the exercise.

Details

NATO Multinational Battle Group and Brigade - Latvia

  • As the Framework Nation in Latvia, Canada is responsible for coordinating with Latvia and the contributing nations to set the tone, pace, and vision for this Battle Group, and for the Multinational Brigade.
  • Canada has committed a Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) general officer and eight staff officers to multinational division North, NATO's Divisional Headquarters that commands and controls the Multinational Brigade.
  • The Brigade is comprised of fourteen contributing nations, including Albania, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden (pending final Swedish Parliamentary approval)
  • Canada is working to operationalize the brigade while prioritizing infrastructure requirements with Latvia. To support the arrival and sustainment of the multinational Brigade, Canada committed $236 M under Operation REASSURANCE to developing infrastructure in Latvia.
  • Canada is building semi-permanent and permanent infrastructure in several locations across Latvia, including in Adazi, Lielvarde Airforce base, and Ceri (Latvian National Guard Base). Infrastructure projects range from tank storage and maintenance facilities, aircraft storage, to accommodations and workspaces for soldiers
  • Canada will complete the building phase of the brigade by 2025
  • By 2026, Canada will complete the full implementation of persistently deployed capabilities to Latvia with stocks and equipment prepositioned for the use of rapidly deployed surge forces readied on standby in Canada.

Air Task Force – Prestwick

  • Since March 2022, the CAF has provided highly valued and applauded tactical airlift aircraft and a team of support personnel under Operation REASSURANCE to move vital, time-sensitive military aid donations from Allies and Partners within Europe.
  • The Air task Force is comprised of three CC-130J Hercules aircraft and up to 60 CAF personnel, who are responsible for maintenance, cargo movements, and administration.
  • As of September 2024, the Task Force has delivered more than 23 million pounds of Canadian aid, as well as that of our Allies and partners, in flights totalling over 6,000 hours, 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 9 June 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.

Equipment

  • The Canadian Army (CA) has over 330 pieces of equipment in Latvia, varied from Leopard Main Battle Tanks, LAV platforms, indirect fire platforms and logistical support vehicles.
  • 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.
  • CSE and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (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.
  • 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.

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Indo-Pacific Strategy (Including Operations HORIZON and NEON)

  • Indo-Pacific security clearly has an impact on Canada's future prosperity and stability, which is recognized in both Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, and most recently, in Our North, Strong and Free.
  • That is why, the Canadian Armed Forces are bolstering their presence and participation across the region.
  • For example, the Royal Canadian Navy is promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific through the regular and persistent deployment of three warships annually to the region under Operation HORIZON.
  • HMCS Montréal just returned from its Indo-Pacific deployment, while HMCS Vancouver and HMCS Ottawa are currently deployed.
  • Importantly, we are investing $48.7 million to increase the Canada's participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises with regional Allies and partners.
  • Throughout 2024, our military members participated in exercises from the Philippines to Japan to Australia – across the land, air, sea, space, cyber domains.
  • This includes new activities, such as Royal Canadian Navy participation in its first two Multinational Maritime Cooperative Activities in the South China Sea. We also saw HMCS Vancouver completing a forward rearmament in Australia – another first.
  • It is vital we increase our engagement and dialogue with Indo-Pacific partners.
  • Last spring, I was honoured to participate in the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and privileged to travel to South Korea and Japan to meet with my counterparts.
  • Earlier this month, alongside the Minister of Foreign Affairs, I was pleased to welcome our Korean counterparts for the inaugural 2+2 Ministerial Meeting.
  • During this visit we exchanged ideas on how to deepen our cooperation as strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific.

Operations Overview

  • Operation HORIZON is Canada's forward-presence mission in the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to promote peace, stability, and a rules-based international order.
  • Through this operation, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are increasing military activities and maintaining a persistent, meaningful presence in the Indo-Pacific in keeping with the Government of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Background

Indo-Pacific Strategy

  • Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy addresses five interconnected priorities relating to the promotion of peace, resilience and security. Over the next five years, National Defence is doing its part by 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 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 full-time civilian positions across the region to enhance Canada's regional understanding and deepen relationships with allies and partners.
    • $2.6 million to bolster military-to-military cyber cooperation and sharing of 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.
  • Over September and October 2024, a CP-140 Air Detachment was deployed under Operation NEON. Canadian ships continue to conduct sporadic monitoring activities under Op NEON in the latter part of this year.

Current and Upcoming Deployments to the Region:

  • August to November 2024: HMCS Vancouver is conducting joint sails with Allied and partner nations, as well as port visits throughout the region. The keystone activities are participation in Exercises KAKADU with Australia, SAMA with the Philippines, and KEEN SWORD with Japan.
  • November 2024 to February 2025: HMCS Ottawa will conduct joint sails with allied and partner nations, as well as port visits throughout the region and joint sails with allied and partner nations.

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International Evacuations

  • The situation in Lebanon is volatile and unpredictable as sustained and escalating violence between Hezbollah and Israel continues.
  • In support of Global Affairs Canada, Canadian Armed Forces personnel are currently assisting the Canadian embassy in Lebanon with contingency planning.
  • The Canadian Armed Forces has also established a forward presence of approximately 500 personnel in Cyprus and other key locations.
  • The Canadian Armed Forces is well-connected in the region and is working closely with our allies and partners to maintain awareness of threats that may result in requests to support Canadians and Canadian interests.

Key Facts

Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations:

  • A Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) is a military operation conducted to assist Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in evacuating Canadians and eligible persons from threatening circumstances in a foreign nation and moving them to safe haven.
  • GAC is the lead agency in an evacuation operation and will only seek assistance from National Defence after all other options for helping Canadians to leave an affected zone have been exhausted.
  • The NEO ends when GAC determines that all willing Canadians and eligible persons have been safely relocated and assistance from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is no longer required.

Recent International Evacuations:

  • 2023 – Operation SAVANNE: Over a three-day period in April 2023, the CAF evacuated over 530 people from Sudan, including 176 Canadian Entitled Persons and 361 evacuees from allied nations.
  • 2023 – Operation ION: Between October 12 and 23, the CAF conducted 19 assisted departure flights, evacuating over 1,650 people to safety.

Details

Operation SAVANNE

  • Under Op SAVANNE, the CAF supported the GAC-led response to the deteriorating security situation in Sudan in April 2023. 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

  • Under Op ION, and in support of GAC-led efforts, the CAF transported 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.

Operation LUMEN

  • 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.
  • At the height of Op LUMEN, there were over 400 CAF members deployed to the region. Op LUMEN was concluded in December 2023.

Current CAF Posture (Lebanon)

  • 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 September 29, 2024, GAC has coordinated commercial flight options out of Lebanon making more than 3,200 seats available. To date, the CAF have not been called upon to specifically support evacuations.
  • The CAF have also established a forward presence of approximately 500 people in Cyprus and other key locations to support GAC and engage local authorities.

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