Members of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command conduct pre-mission training in Petawawa, Ontario, on January 16, 2024, for Exercise Steadfast Defender 24. CANADIAN ARMED FORCES
THE WATCH STAFF
Approximately 1,000 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) sailors, soldiers, aviators and special forces personnel are participating in Exercise Steadfast Defender 2024, the largest NATO exercise in decades. Planned for three years, Steadfast Defender 24 will include 90,000 military personnel, more than 50 naval assets, over 80 aircraft, and at least 1,100 combat vehicles, according to a CAF news release.
Steadfast Defender 24 simulates an Article 5 adversarial attack and is designed to showcase the rapid deployment of reinforcements across all domains in Europe. “It will be a clear demonstration of our transatlantic unity and strength and our determination to continue to do all that is necessary to protect each other, our values and the rules-based international order,” a NATO news release stated.
Senior Canadian defense officials believe that Canada’s role as a cross-Atlantic partner is crucial. “Steadfast Defender sends a strong message about our ability to operate with NATO Allies and our continued contribution to the defence of Europe. Canada remains unwavering in its commitments to defend our shared values and interests, and to be a reliable partner in peace and security,” said Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair.
NATO is a key part of Canada’s defense strategy. Through its largest overseas mission, known as Operation Reassurance, Canada has continuously supported NATO assurance and deterrence efforts in Europe since Russia’s 2014 invasion of Crimea. Op Reassurance is set to grow from 1,000 deployed CAF personnel to 2,200 by 2026, according to a January news release from the Canadian government.
Steadfast Defender 24 began in January 2024, with the exercise extending until May 2024. The first phase of the exercise will primarily involve air and maritime assets practicing defense of the North Atlantic and Baltic seas. Participating CAF assets include the patrol frigate HMCS Charlottetown with an embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.
“The next few months will see our sailors, soldiers, and aviators engage in rigorous training and operational activities in diverse and challenging environments. This period will not only test their skills and capabilities but also provide an opportunity to forge strong and valuable partnerships with our NATO allies and partners, further enhancing our collective readiness and interoperability,” said Vice Adm. Bob Auchterlonie, commander of the Canadian Joint Operations Command, according to the CAF release.
HMCS Charlottetown will participate in live exercises designed to provide tactical training for the NATO Standing Maritime Groups. The ship’s deployment is scheduled to last about seven weeks. The operational experience prepares Canada to assume command of Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 this summer.
During the second phase, CAF personnel will take part in several sub-exercises in varying locations – Canadian Special Forces will participate in Nordic Response in Norway in March, while Army troops will participate in Crystal Arrow in Latvia in March and in Spring Storm in Estonia in May.
In Latvia, the Canadian Army’s future Forward Land Forces Multinational Brigade Latvia command team will operationally integrate with the higher NATO command for the first time. This summer, four CH-146 Griffon helicopters will be deployed to Latvia, and CH-147 Chinooks will follow in 2025. In July 2023, Canada and Latvia signed an agreement for Canada to integrate the existing Canadian-led brigade into a multinational NATO division. The CAF will also send 15 Leopard 2 tanks to fortify its presence. At least some of those tanks will participate in Steadfast Defender.
The Canadian deployment for Steadfast Defender 24 is part of a long-term defense strategy to protect North American strategic interests and forge closer military relationships with its European allies. “The deployment of CAF personnel and assets alongside NATO and Allied forces in Alliance territory serves as a powerful and unmistakable message of deterrence to potential adversaries and reassurance to Allies. This collective display of strength and readiness reinforces our commitment to safeguarding the security and stability of the region, sending a clear signal that any threat to our shared values and interests will be met with a unified and resolute response,” said Gen. Wayne Eyre, chief of the Canadian Armed Forces defense staff.