Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER reinforces the Canadian Army’s commitment to modernization and mission readiness

October 15, 2025 – Ottawa, ON – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Media are invited to attend the Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER Capability Showcase on Friday, October 17, 2025, at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick.

Hosted by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Explosive Ordnance Disposal Organization, Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER takes place from October 16 to 29, 2025. CAF members, along with military personnel from Allied and partner nations, will take part in a multinational competition aimed at demonstrating operational proficiency in detecting, defeating and responding to explosive threats. The exercise will also showcase the latest advancements in explosive ordinance disposal technologies and capabilities.

WHO: Soldiers from Canada and Allied and partner nations, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czechia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, Sweden, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, all with expertise in explosive ordnance detection and disposal.

WHAT: Media are invited to attend the Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER Capability Showcase, where they will have the chance to capture imagery and interview senior CAF planners and subject matter experts. Allied and partner nations participants will also be on site and may be available to speak.

WHERE: 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown, Oromocto, NB, E2V 4J5.

WHEN: Friday, October 17, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. (AST) 

Notes to editor:

Media are asked to confirm their attendance with Lieutenant Jerome Downey at 438-468-7439 or by email at jerome.downey@forces.gc.ca no later than 4:00 p.m. AST on Thursday, October 16, 2025. Attending media are asked to meet at Camp Argonaut, Building N126, Fundy Ave, Burton Parish, NB.