Enhanced Canadian Armed Forces Arctic Operations Reinforce Sovereignty Throughout 2026

Pete Fisher
2 hours ago
• Categories: National

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.

Operations and serial activities
The 2026 programme launches with Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT, focused on long-range sustainment along the Northwest Passage and defensive activities throughout Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. Additional Operation NANOOK serials will run sequentially—and in some cases concurrently—throughout the year:

NANOOK-NUNAKPUT (all-domain activities along the Northwest Passage);

NANOOK-TUUGAALIK (maritime interoperability with the Canadian Coast Guard and NATO allies);

NANOOK-TAKUNIQ (air-land integration, including Canadian Ranger patrols);

NANOOK-TATIGIIT (whole-of-government crisis response); and

NANOOK-QIMAAVIVUT (military engineering and infrastructure tasks).

In addition to Operation NANOOK, the CAF will continue to conduct Operation LIMPID, Operation BOXTOP, and Operation LATITUDE. Operation LIMPID is a continuous all-domain surveillance-based mission to detect threats to Canada’s security and sovereignty as early as possible. Operation BOXTOP is a logistics mission to resupply Canadian Forces Station Alert to enable the year-round presence of the stationed CAF members. Operation LATITUDE is a maritime focused operation dedicated to detection, deterrence, and defence against potential threats in the western Arctic and its approaches.

Strategic Context
Throughout the year, these operations will run concurrently and in coherence with several other Arctic operations and exercises led by organizations of which Canada is a member, including NATO and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Indeed, as both an Arctic nation and a founding member of NATO, Canada is a strong advocate for strengthening NATO’s posture across the Arctic, including through enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY. Furthermore, over the years, the strength of NORAD has rested in its ability to evolve in response to the changing threat environment, including in the Arctic. NORAD remains the world’s only bi-national command charged with aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for Canada and the United States.

Quotes
“Canadian sovereignty is inseparable from a strong and credible Arctic defence. As strategic competition accelerates and adversaries expand their military reach across the circumpolar region, Canada is acting with purpose and resolve. By strengthening domain awareness, modernizing northern capabilities, and deepening integration with allies and partners, the Canadian Armed Forces are enhancing deterrence and ensuring persistent presence in the North.”
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence

“Operating continually in the Canadian Arctic and its approaches is vital to strengthening Canada’s ability to deter threats and assert our sovereignty. By continuing to enhance our domain awareness and conducting ongoing operations in the North, we enable the Canadian Armed Forces to remain ready to defend Canada and Canadian interests in the region alongside our allies and partners.”
General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff

“Defending Canada’s Arctic is integral to defending Canada and Canadian interests. The detection, deterrence, and defence against any threat to Canada is the primary mission of the Canadian Armed Forces. Our permanent presence and near-persistent approach to operations in the Arctic, with our partners and allies, strengthens Canadian sovereignty and directly contributes to our collective security.”
Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command

Quick Facts
The CAF welcomes NATO’s enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY, which leverages the strength of the Alliance by cohering NATO activities in the Arctic under one, overarching operational approach.

The CAF is working closely with its Arctic and NATO Allies to determine how it can best support this activity and synchronize Canada’s Arctic initiatives with those of our NATO Allies.

Aligning the CAF’s Arctic efforts with enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY will contribute to NATO’s deterrence and defence efforts, further reinforcing collective security and resilience across the Alliance and the Arctic.