Operation HORIZON

From: National Defence

As part of Canada’s commitment to a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific, Operation HORIZON is Canada’s forward-presence mission to the region to promote peace, stability, and the rules-based international order.

During this operation, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) contribute to implementing the defence elements of the Government of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy (IPS) by increasing military activities and maintaining a persistent, meaningful presence in the Indo-Pacific that supports peace, security, and Canadian interests.

How many people are deployed?

The number of deployed personnel varies throughout the year depending on current activities within the Indo-Pacific region. CAF members are deploying episodically under Operation HORIZON to participate in pan-domain (maritime, land, air, cyber, and space) exercises and operational activities.

What are they doing?

Operation HORIZON involves the deployment of Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Canadian Army (CA), Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and Canadian Special Operations Forces (CANSOF) to the Indo-Pacific to participate in international training, exercises, and engagements, enhance security, and build defence partnerships.

Under Operation HORIZON, the RCN will annually deploy three warships, increasing opportunities to work with allies and partner nations and enhancing military cooperation, including port visits.

With expanded opportunities to work side-by-side with Indo-Pacific allies and partners, the CAF is strengthening regional relationships through security cooperation, building military-to-military interoperability, and enhancing Canada’s role as a trusted international security partner.

History and Context of the Operation

As a Pacific nation, and building on decades of diplomatic, trade, development, people-to-people, and defence ties, Operation HORIZON expands Canada’s mission of playing an active role in the Indo-Pacific, and increases consistent and meaningful participation in the region, demonstrating that Canada is a consistent and reliable international defence partner.

Since 2018, Canada’s main Indo-Pacific military mission was known as Operation PROJECTION (Indo-Pacific). Operation HORIZON replaced Operation PROJECTION (Indo-Pacific) and encompasses broader military activities conducted by the RCN, CA, RCAF, CANSOF, and other CAF elements in the region.

Key Activities

Forward naval deployments of Royal Canadian Navy ships.
- The deployment of His Majesty’s Canadian Ships (HMC Ships) Ottawa and Vancouver, alongside Motor Vessel (MV) Asterix, from August 14 to December 18, 2023.
- His Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Montreal - ongoing.
Deployment of Royal Canadian Air Force Detachments.
Integration of CAF staff officers within headquarters of allies and partners.
Security cooperation training support to allies and partners by CAF instructors.
Subject matter expertise support in cyber, space and medical capabilities, and Women, Peace and Security.
Technical support by the CAF.