Canadian Armed Forces
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| Canadian Armed Forces | |
|---|---|
| Name | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Native name | Forces armées canadiennes |
| Caption | Flag of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| Founded | 1 February 1968 |
| Current form | 1 February 1968 (Unification) |
| Branches | Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force |
| Headquarters | National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa |
| Commander-in-chief | Governor General Mary Simon |
| Commander-in-chief title | Commander-in-Chief |
| Minister | Bill Blair |
| Minister title | Minister of National Defence |
| Chief of defence | Wayne Eyre |
| Chief of defence title | Chief of the Defence Staff |
| Age | 16–57 with parental consent |
| Manpower data | 2023 |
| Available | 10,500,000 (2023) |
| Active | 67,492 (2023) |
| Reserve | 27,000 (2023) |
| Deployed | ~1,200 (2023) |
| Budget | $26.5 billion (2023–24) |
| Percent GDP | 1.3% (2023) |
| Domestic suppliers | General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, Lockheed Martin Canada, Irving Shipbuilding |
| Foreign suppliers | United States, Germany, United Kingdom |
Canadian Armed Forces. The Canadian Armed Forces are the unified military forces of Canada, encompassing the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Operating under the authority of the Department of National Defence and commanded by the Chief of the Defence Staff, its primary missions include defending Canadian sovereignty, providing assistance to civil authorities, and contributing to international peace and security. The forces are a key participant in alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
History
The modern institution traces its origins to colonial militias in New France and the British Army garrisons following the Treaty of Paris (1763). Key formative events include participation in the War of 1812, the North-West Rebellion, and sending substantial contingents to fight in the First World War, notably at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. The Second World War saw major contributions in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Dieppe Raid, the Italian Campaign, and the Normandy landings. The Korean War marked its first major engagement as a unified entity, prior to the formal unification of the separate services into a single structure under the *National Defence Act* in 1968 by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.
Structure and organization
The organization is divided into three environmental service branches: the Royal Canadian Navy, headquartered at CFB Halifax and CFB Esquimalt; the Canadian Army, with formations like the 2nd Canadian Division and 3rd Canadian Division; and the Royal Canadian Air Force, operating from bases such as CFB Trenton and CFB Bagotville. Unified operational commands include Canadian Joint Operations Command for domestic and international missions, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command for special forces, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police-integrated Canadian NORAD Region. The chain of command runs from the Governor General to the Minister of National Defence and the Chief of the Defence Staff.
Personnel and training
Personnel consist of approximately 67,500 Regular Force members and 27,000 Primary Reserve members, supported by the Canadian Rangers in remote regions. Officer training is conducted primarily at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, while recruit training occurs at facilities like Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Specialized training institutions include the Canadian Army Command and Staff College and the Royal Canadian Air Force Aerospace Warfare Centre. The forces actively participate in multinational exercises such as Exercise MAPLE RESOLVE and RIMPAC.
Equipment and capabilities
The inventory includes major platforms such as the F-35 and CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft, the CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft, and the CC-150 Polaris strategic transport. The Royal Canadian Navy operates the Halifax-class frigate and is introducing new *Harry DeWolf*-class vessels and the future Canadian Surface Combatant project. The Canadian Army utilizes the LAV III and the Leopard 2 main battle tank. Key modernization projects involve the North Warning System replacement and new strategic airlift through the CC-295 Kingfisher.
Operations and deployments
Current international deployments include leading the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battle Group in Latvia and participating in United Nations missions such as UNIFIL and MINUSMA. Domestically, it regularly conducts Operation NANOOK in the Arctic and provides aid to civil power, notably during the Red River Flood and the COVID-19 pandemic. Historic major deployments include the Gulf War, the War in Afghanistan, and peacekeeping missions in Cyprus, the Golan Heights, and the former Yugoslavia.
Role in Canadian society
The institution is a prominent national symbol, participating in ceremonies like Remembrance Day at the National War Memorial and the Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It supports youth programs such as the Royal Canadian Army Cadets and is a major employer and economic driver, with significant procurement projects involving Irving Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada. Its history and values are preserved and presented by the Canadian War Museum and the Directorate of History and Heritage.
Category:Military of Canada Category:Government agencies established in 1968