Canada Bolsters Arctic Defence and Collaborates with NATO and NORAD Through Coordinated Military Exercises Across Northern Territories

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are preparing for a major operational year in the Arctic and northern regions throughout 2026.

Their mission is clear: detect, deter, and, if necessary, defend against potential threats, while showcasing Canada’s ability to secure sovereignty across land, sea, air, cyber, and space domains.

This comprehensive approach ensures that Canada’s presence in its northern territories remains robust and adaptive amid growing global attention on the Arctic.

Multi-Domain Operations with Modern Assets

CAF operations in the North will bring together a wide array of assets and personnel.

Ships, aircraft, ground vehicles, and specialized forces from the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command will work in a coordinated manner.

These activities are further strengthened through collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard and allied forces, ensuring interoperability and shared situational awareness.

Support infrastructure like Northern Operational Support Hubs will provide enhanced mobility, communication, and operational reach—key for timely response in the challenging Arctic environment.

Modern command, control, communications, and sensing technologies will also underpin these missions, keeping CAF personnel connected and informed in remote regions.

Strengthening Presence to Protect Sovereignty

Operating regularly in northern regions allows the CAF to detect emerging threats early and respond decisively.

By maintaining a continuous presence, the CAF not only safeguards Canadian territory but also contributes to broader North American defence alongside NATO allies and Arctic partners.

Meaningful engagement with Inuit and other Northern Indigenous governments and communities, along with federal, territorial, and municipal agencies, ensures that military presence respects local contexts and builds long-term trust.

This collaborative approach strengthens both security and community relationships in the Arctic.

Key Operations in 2026

The year kicks off with Operation NANOOK‑NUNALIVUT, focused on long-range sustainment along the Northwest Passage and defensive activities across Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut.

This operation forms the backbone of the CAF’s northern posture and will be followed by other NANOOK series:

• 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 exercises
• NANOOK‑QIMAAVIVUT – military engineering and northern infrastructure projects

Alongside these, ongoing missions such as Operation LIMPID (continuous all-domain surveillance), Operation BOXTOP (resupply of Canadian Forces Station Alert), and Operation LATITUDE (maritime detection and deterrence) will ensure Canada maintains a strong, year-round Arctic presence.

Strategic and International Context

Canada’s northern operations do not occur in isolation.

They run in tandem with broader NATO exercises, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) initiatives, and allied Arctic activities.

As both an Arctic nation and a founding NATO member, Canada actively promotes a strengthened allied posture in the region, exemplified through initiatives like Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY.

NORAD continues to evolve to meet changing threat landscapes, remaining the world’s only bi-national command tasked with aerospace warning, aerospace control, and maritime warning for Canada and the United States.

CAF operations feed into this collective defence, ensuring the Arctic remains monitored and secure.

What’s Next?

Throughout 2026, expect regular updates on the progress of NANOOK series operations and the CAF’s engagement with local communities.

Further enhancements to Northern Operational Support Hubs will improve logistics, mobility, and responsiveness.

Additionally, Canada is likely to expand joint exercises with NATO and Arctic allies, reinforcing both defence readiness and international partnerships in the high north.

Summary

The CAF’s 2026 northern operations demonstrate a multifaceted approach to sovereignty, combining land, sea, air, cyber, and space capabilities.

Through collaboration with Indigenous communities, allied forces, and other government agencies, Canada strengthens its Arctic presence while enhancing threat detection and crisis response.

Operations like NANOOK‑NUNALIVUT and supporting missions such as LIMPID, BOXTOP, and LATITUDE ensure continuous vigilance, contributing to national and continental defence.