The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Porter conducts an underway replenishment alongside Military Sealift Command dry cargo ship USNS William Mclean as part of Cutlass Fury 2023. U.S. NAVY
Canada led a weeklong naval and air exercise near Nova Scotia in June 2025 with participation of air and naval forces from Denmark, the United Kingdom and the United States. Dubbed Cutlass Fury 2025, the annual war game aims to increase the compatibility between partner militaries as they defend the northeastern seaborne flank of North America.
Halifax, the headquarters of the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), was a logistical hub for the exercise, which involved maritime and air assets from the RCN, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Danish Navy, U.K. Royal Air Force and the U.S. Navy, according to a news release from Canda’s Department of National Defence.
“Exercise Cutlass Fury 2025 showcases the RCN’s unwavering commitment to operational excellence and international collaboration, and we are thrilled to be working alongside our allies to bolster our collective security. This Canadian-led exercise will not only highlight our advanced capabilities but also reinforce the importance of unity and cooperation in addressing complex global security challenges. Through Ex Cutlass Fury 2025, we will demonstrate operational excellence, a culture of continuous improvement, and refine tactics and procedures for future operations,” said Rear Adm. Josèe Kurtz, commander of Canada’s Maritime Forces Atlantic and Joint Force Task Force Atlantic, the top Canadian naval military chief.
Cutlass Fury is a biannual multinational antisubmarine exercise involving Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen to hone tactics among international allies and enhance operational readiness. “The focus will be on anti-submarine warfare and air-maritime integration, aiming to refine warfighting skills and improving interoperability among participating forces,” the release stated. “This exercise underscores Canada’s commitment to global security and its role as a reliable defence partner on the international stage.”
The June 11-18 training also boosts the partners’ joint operational readiness while strengthening familiarity and operability through realistic warfighting scenarios, according to City News, a Halifax news site.