Military of Canada
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| Military of Canada | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Native name | Forces armées canadiennes |
| Caption | Emblem of the Canadian Armed Forces |
| Founded | 1968 (unification) |
| Current form | 1 February 1968 |
| 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 staff | Wayne Eyre |
| Chief of staff title | Chief of the Defence Staff |
| Age | 16–57 with parental consent; 18–57 to serve |
| Active | ~68,000 (Regular Force) |
| Reserve | ~27,000 (Primary Reserve) |
| Deployed | ~3,600 (as of 2024) |
| Domestic | Canadian Rangers |
| Expenditures | $36.3 billion CAD (2024–25) |
| Percent GDP | 1.4% (2024 est.) |
| Foreign suppliers | United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Norway |
| Related articles | NATO, NORAD, United Nations peacekeeping |
Military of Canada. The unified Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is the military responsible for the defence of Canada, its sovereignty, and its interests at home and abroad. Governed by the National Defence Act and under the democratic control of the Parliament of Canada, its operational branches are the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. The CAF is a key contributor to international security alliances, notably NATO and the NORAD partnership with the United States.
History
The military history of the territory now known as Canada includes pre-Confederation colonial militias, such as those that fought in the War of 1812 and the Fenian raids. Following Confederation in 1867, a permanent active force was established, with major contributions in the Second Boer War and, decisively, during the First World War at battles like Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele. The Second World War saw massive mobilization, with key roles in the Battle of the Atlantic, the Dieppe Raid, the Italian Campaign, and the Normandy landings. The post-war era included participation in the Korean War and the Cold War, leading to the pivotal unification of the separate services into the Canadian Armed Forces in 1968 under Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and Minister Paul Hellyer.
Organization and structure
The Canadian Armed Forces is a unified structure commanded by the Chief of the Defence Staff, currently General Wayne Eyre, who reports to the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair. The three environmental commands—Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force—are led by their respective commanders. Operational command flows through the Canadian Joint Operations Command for domestic and international missions, while the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command oversees elite units like Joint Task Force 2. Key institutional partners include National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa and major formations such as 1st Canadian Division and 4th Canadian Division.
Personnel and training
The CAF consists of approximately 68,000 active members in the Regular Force and 27,000 in the Primary Reserve, supplemented by the part-time, remote-patrolling Canadian Rangers. All officers and non-commissioned members undergo rigorous basic training at facilities like the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Specialist training occurs at institutions such as the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, the Combat Training Centre in Gagetown, and the Royal Canadian Air Force Academy in Winnipeg. The force maintains a strong relationship with veterans' organizations like the Royal Canadian Legion.
Equipment and capabilities
The CAF operates a diverse inventory, with major modernization programs underway. The Royal Canadian Navy's fleet includes the Halifax-class frigates and the future Canadian Surface Combatant ships, while its submarine force consists of the Victoria-class. The Royal Canadian Air Force operates the CF-18 Hornet, with the F-35 Lightning II selected as its future fighter, alongside strategic airlift provided by the CC-177 Globemaster III and the CP-140 Aurora for maritime patrol. The Canadian Army's key platforms include the LAV III and the soon-to-be-delivered Armoured Combat Support Vehicle.
Operations and deployments
The CAF conducts three core types of missions: domestic operations, continental defence, and international engagements. Domestically, it regularly assists with disaster relief, supports law enforcement, and conducts Arctic sovereignty patrols like Operation NANOOK. Continental defence is coordinated through the NORAD partnership, monitoring aerospace threats. Internationally, the CAF has been a major contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, NATO assurance measures in Eastern Europe, and combat operations such as the War in Afghanistan and the intervention against the Islamic State (Operation IMPACT).
Budget and funding
Defence spending is authorized annually by the Parliament of Canada through the federal budget. The 2024-25 defence budget is approximately $36.3 billion CAD, representing about 1.4% of the nation's GDP. A significant portion of this funding is dedicated to capital projects under the Strong, Secure, Engaged policy, including the acquisition of new warships, fighter aircraft, and North Warning System modernization. Major equipment procurement is managed by organizations like Public Services and Procurement Canada and often involves international partners such as Lockheed Martin, Irving Shipbuilding, and General Dynamics.
Category:Military of Canada Category:Military by country