Throughout 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will conduct operations across the Arctic and the North to detect, deter, and, if required, defend against threats—demonstrating its capability and capacity to protect Canadian sovereignty across the land, maritime, air, cyber, and space domains.
The CAF will employ ships, aircraft, vehicles, and personnel from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command in coordinated activities with the Canadian Coast Guard and allied forces. Operations are supported by modern command‑and‑control, communications, sensing, and sustainment, which will be bolstered by the Northern Operational Support Hubs that will enhance presence, reach, mobility, and responsiveness in northern regions.
These operations enable the CAF to strengthen its presence in the Arctic and the North to protect Canada’s sovereignty and contribute to the defence of North America. By operating regularly across the region, the CAF improves its ability to detect potential threats early, respond effectively, and operate cohesively alongside Canada’s North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Arctic allies.
Working in collaboration with Inuit and Northern Indigenous governments and communities, other federal departments and agencies, and territorial and municipal governments, the CAF maintains a meaningful and enduring presence that safeguards Canadian sovereignty amid heightened global attention on the Arctic.
