Canadian Armed Forces and Partner Nations gather at CFB Gagetown for Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER
News release
October 17, 2024 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
Over 400 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), alongside soldiers from nine partner nations, are participating in Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER 2024, a Canadian Army-led international counter-explosive exercise, at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick.
The exercise brings together forces from Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. This training provides an opportunity to strengthen skills and build capacity to counter and dispose of explosive threats, as well as exploit capabilities to counter future threats.
This year, emerging technologies, such as Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Additive Manufacturing, will be leveraged and integrated into the training to demonstrate ways to enhance operational efficiency and security on a unified front against adversaries.
Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER is a key activity that allows the CAF and partner nations to incorporate lessons observed from Ukraine and adapt their training.
Quotes
“Interoperability is crucial to the Canadian Army's ability to fulfill Government of Canada objectives, ensure readiness, respond to emerging threats, and meet defence priorities. Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER highlights our commitment to collective security efforts alongside our NATO allies and partner nations."
Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army
“The realities of modern warfare drive the design, equipment and training of the Canadian Army. As we continue to modernize our force and build readiness capacity, the value of Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER in preparing Canada and its international partners for current and future threats cannot be understated. I welcome all participants to 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown and wish them a successful and safe Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER 2024.”
Brigadier-General Mark Parsons, Commander 5th Canadian Division
Quick facts
-
This is the 11th iteration of Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER, which is normally held in Canada on an annual basis and at different locations across the country.
-
For over 10 years, the CAF Joint Counter Explosive Threat organization has evaluated threats in the global security environment and brought together field experts during Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER to share lessons learned on how to detect, neutralize, and dispose of explosive ordnance.
-
Responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of the Canadian iteration of Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER, the CAF Joint Counter Explosive Threat organization is the authority for enabling and synchronizing actions to counter-explosive threats on behalf of the CAF. This organization maintains relationships with NATO allies that share a similar strategic mandate to increase interoperability and enhance each other’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and field exploitation capabilities.
Associated links
Contacts
Lt Jerome Downey
Public Affairs Officer, Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER
Phone: 438-468-7439
Email: jerome.downey@forces.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca
Page details
- Date modified: