Canadian Armed Forces

The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are the unified military forces of Canada, made up of sea, land, air, and special operations forces. These include the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Canadian Special Operations Forces Command. Though connected to the Department of National Defence, the CAF operates as its own distinct entity under the National Defence Act.

The Governor General serves as the commander-in-chief of the Canadian Armed Forces, while the chief of the Defence Staff leads the CAF's daily operations. This leader works with the minister of national defence and the Armed Forces Council to manage the forces.

In 2026–2027, Canada plans to spend about US$37.75 billion on its military, which is roughly 1.6 percent of the country's total economy, or gross domestic product. The CAF is a volunteer force made up of around 100,000 people, with most serving full-time and others in part-time roles.

Canada is well known for its history of peacekeeping in the 20th century. The country usually prefers to join military actions only when approved by the United Nations, such as through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The CAF also includes several other important groups, like Canadian Forces Intelligence Command and Canadian Joint Operations Command. People can serve either full-time in the Regular Force or in various part-time roles, including the Primary Reserve, Supplementary Reserve, Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, and the Canadian Rangers.

History

Main article: Military history of Canada

See also: History of the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and Monarchy of Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces § History

Origins and establishment

Before 1867, people living in what is now Canada were part of French and British forces or local militia groups. These groups helped protect their areas from attacks by other European countries, Indigenous peoples, and American forces during important wars like the American Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. They also helped during events like the Fenian raids, Red River Rebellion, and North-West Rebellion. Because of this, some Canadian Army units today can trace their history back to the late 1700s.

For many years, the British Crown was in charge of military command. A commander-in-chief for North America was based in Halifax until British troops and ships left in 1906. After that, the Royal Canadian Navy was created, and later, the Royal Canadian Air Force was formed as flying became important. These forces were organized under the Department of Militia and Defence and split into Permanent and Non-Permanent Active Militias, often called "The Militia." By 1923, this department became part of the Department of National Defence.

Canadian forces first fought overseas during the Second Boer War, and later in the First World War when the United Kingdom went to war with Germany. Important battles for Canada in this war included the Second Battle of Ypres, the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the Second Battle of Passchendaele, and many others during the Hundred Days Offensive.

During this time, Canada began to build its own army, navy, and air force. Because of Canada’s role in the First World War, it gained more control over its military matters in 1931. In 1940, the Canadian militia was renamed the Canadian Army. In the 1950s, part-time soldiers were again called "Militia," though this term is not used often today.

Canada joined the Second World War in 1939 when it declared war on Nazi Germany. Key battles for Canada in this war included the Battle of the Atlantic, the Battle of Britain, the Battle of Hong Kong, the Dieppe Raid, the invasion of Sicily and Italy, Operation Overlord, the Siegfried Line Campaign, Operation Veritable, and bombing German cities from the air.

Since 1947, Canada has been part of more than 200 military operations around the world and has completed 72 international operations. Canadian soldiers, sailors, and air crews are known for their skill and have served in important NATO missions, the Korean War, the First Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and United Nations Peacekeeping operations in places like the Suez Crisis, Golan Heights, Cyprus, Croatia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Libya.

Canada operated an aircraft carrier from 1957 to 1970 during the Cold War. It never fought but helped during events like the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Since unification

See also: Unification of the Canadian Armed Forces and Structure of the Canadian Armed Forces in 1989

The current Canadian Armed Forces began on February 1, 1968, when the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force were combined into one unified group with three main areas: Air Command, Land Force, and Maritime Command. On August 16, 2011, these areas went back to their old names, but the unified structure of the Canadian Armed Forces stayed the same.

During this time, Canadian Forces have helped in NATO efforts in Europe, United Nations peacekeeping, and combat missions. They fought in Afghanistan until 2011 as part of a NATO mission asked for by the Afghan government.

The Forces have also helped Canada during emergencies and natural disasters. After the 1997 Red River flood in Manitoba, over 8,500 military members helped with evacuations and building flood walls. After the 1998 North American ice storm, over 16,000 troops were sent to New Brunswick, Ontario, and Quebec—the largest deployment for a natural disaster in Canada and the biggest since the Korean War. In 2003, after forest fires in British Columbia, over 2,200 soldiers were sent to help, and at the peak, more than 2,600 were part of this operation.

Early 2000s modernization efforts

The Constitution of Canada gives the federal government control over national defence, and defence spending is outlined in the federal budget. In the 2007–2010 fiscal year, Canada spent CA$6.15 billion, which was 1.4 percent of the country’s GDP. Extra money was added in 2005 and 2010 for new equipment and more troops.

In 2008, Canada started the “Canada First Defence Strategy” to modernize the Forces with new equipment, better training, and more focus on recruitment. Efforts included buying new trucks, transport planes, helicopters, and support ships. Recruitment had been low in the 1980s and 1990s, perhaps because many people thought the Forces only did peacekeeping. A survey in 2008 showed that most Canadians supported Canada’s role in Afghanistan and wanted a stronger military, but also wanted the Forces to focus more on helping with natural disasters.

Renewal and new equipment efforts brought in main battle tanks, artillery, unmanned aircraft, and other systems for the mission in Afghanistan. The Forces also updated older equipment like transport planes and army trucks, and bought new strategic transport planes and heavy-lift helicopters.

Peacekeeping

Main article: Canadian peacekeeping

Role of women

In the 1950s, women could join the forces only in medicine, communication, logistics, and administration. In 1971, more roles opened up for women, such as driving vehicles, fixing planes, air traffic control, military police, and firefighting.

By 1989, all jobs were open to women except submarine service, which opened in 2000. Women now have the same protective gear as men and wear uniforms designed for their bodies. They also get money each year to buy bras.

In recent years, there have been discussions about improving the culture within the Canadian Armed Forces to make it safer and more respectful for everyone. Efforts are being made to address concerns and create a better environment for all members.

Structure

The Crown has long occupied a central position in the Canadian Armed Forces. The National Defence Act says that "the Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada, consisting of one service called the Canadian Armed Forces" and the Constitution Act, 1867, gives command-in-chief of the Forces to the country's sovereign, who, since 1904, has allowed his or her viceroy, the governor general, to carry out those duties. All orders about sending troops, including declarations of war, are part of the royal prerogative.

The Canadian Armed Forces have 92,600 people split into a hierarchy of numerous ranks of officers and non-commissioned members. The governor general chooses, based on the prime minister's advice, the chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) as the top commissioned officer in the Armed Forces. The CDS leads the Armed Forces Council, which includes the vice chief of the Defence Staff and the leaders of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Joint Operations Command, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, and some other important people. The Armed Forces Council usually works from National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) in Ottawa, Ontario.

The Canadian Armed Forces work from 27 Canadian Forces bases (CFB) across the country, including NDHQ. Both officers and non-commissioned members get their basic training at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu. Officers often join with a degree from a civilian university or graduate from the Royal Military College of Canada. Special training happens at many places in Canada and sometimes around the world.

As of 2013, the Canadian Forces had 68,000 Regular Force members and 27,000 reservists, for a total of about 95,000 people. They work at many Canadian Forces bases across the country and follow the "Queen's Regulations and Orders" and the National Defence Act.

Canadian Army

The Canadian Army is the land part of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is set up into five geographic divisions that lead groups and their combat and support units, ready to send forces for operations both in Canada and around the world.

Royal Canadian Navy

The Royal Canadian Navy is the sea part of the Canadian Armed Forces. It has two fleets, Atlantic and Pacific, with support from naval air, training, and shore bases. It is ready to send naval forces for operations in Canada and worldwide.

Royal Canadian Air Force

The Royal Canadian Air Force is the air and space part of the Canadian Armed Forces. It is set up into numbered air divisions and wings that lead flying squadrons and support units, ready to use air power for operations in Canada and around the world.

1 Canadian Air Division (CAD)

2 Canadian Air Division (2 CAD)

3 Canadian Space Division (3 CSD)

Royal Canadian Air Force Aerospace Warfare Centre (RCAF AWC)

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command

Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) is a unified group in the Canadian Armed Forces that looks after Canada’s special operations abilities.

Canadian Forces Intelligence Command

Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM) gives reliable and timely defence information to help Canada’s national security goals.

Canadian Joint Operations Command

Canadian Joint Operations Command (CJOC) leads most Canadian Armed Forces operations in Canada, North America, and around the world.

Military Personnel Command

Military Personnel Command (MILPERSCOM) gives guidance to the Canadian Armed Forces on managing military personnel.

Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

The Vice Chief of the Defence Staff (Canada) makes sure that Department of National Defence policies and goals are met. We manage the National Defence headquarters, and all HQ activities.

Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force

The Canadian Armed Forces have about 50,000 reserve members ready to help during national emergencies. In May 2025, leaders made a plan to grow this number to 400,000, with 100,000 in the Primary Reserve and 300,000 in the Supplementary Reserve.

Primary Reserve

Main article: Primary Reserve

About 26,000 trained soldiers, sailors, and air crew are part of the Primary Reserve. They can work alongside regular forces and support operations when needed. They are organized into groups like the Naval Reserve, Land Force Reserve, and Air Reserve.

Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service

The Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS) helps train nearly 60,000 cadets aged 12 to 18 years through the Canadian Cadet Organization. Most COATS members are officers in the Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) branch.

Canadian Rangers

The Canadian Rangers patrol and monitor Canada’s arctic and remote areas, helping protect the country’s northern regions.

Canadian Military Bases

Main article: Canadian Forces base

Canada has many military bases all over the country. These bases help the Canadian Armed Forces with their work, training, and supplies. Some bases are for the Army, some for the Navy, and some for the Air Force. Many of these bases are used by more than one part of the military, and they help with training and important missions to protect Canada and work with other countries.

Defence policy

Since the Second World War, Canada's defence policy has focused on three main goals: protecting Canada, working with US forces to protect North America, and helping keep the world safe.

During the Cold War, Canada helped keep Europe safe from the Soviet threat by stationing soldiers and planes there. After the Cold War ended, Canada's military took part in international missions, such as in Afghanistan from 2002 to 2014. Today, Canada's defence plans are guided by the 2017 strategy called Strong, Secure and Engaged, which promises more money for the military to protect Canada, North America, and support global security.

Canada's military also works on defence diplomacy, sending representatives to meetings and visiting other countries to build friendships and work together on training and other activities.

Ranks

The Canadian Armed Forces have special titles and symbols to show who is in charge and who works under them. These help everyone know the order and respect each other’s roles in keeping Canada safe. The way they look and what they mean is shown in a special guide.

Uniforms

Main article: Uniforms of the Canadian Armed Forces

The Canadian Armed Forces have four main types of uniforms, each with a different color: navy blue (which is actually black) for the navy, rifle green for the army, light blue for the air force, and khaki for special operations. Soldiers usually wear the uniform that matches their job.

These uniforms come in five styles: ceremonial dress for special events, mess dress for formal dinners, service dress for everyday office-like settings, operational dress for everyday wear on base, and occupational dress for specific jobs like medical work. Service dress is the most versatile and can be worn for both everyday activities and formal events. In cold weather, special parkas are allowed.

Symbolism and honours

The Canadian Armed Forces use many traditions and symbols from the United Kingdom, including those connected to royalty. Today, their symbols also include parts that reflect Canada and the Canadian monarchy. Members of the country's royal family have special connections with different parts of the forces.

The monarch is seen as the source of all honours. Canada has a special system of awards for brave and valuable service, including the Victoria Cross, Order of Military Merit, Cross of Valour, Star of Courage, and Medal of Bravery. The Victoria Cross is the highest honour in Canada. Many Canadians received this award from the United Kingdom before Canada created its own version in 1993. No Canadians have received this award since 1945.

In the 1960s, the names of the Navy, Army, and Air Force were changed. On August 16, 2011, the names were changed back to include “Royal.” This was done to honour Canada’s military history and to match other Commonwealth realms that use the word “Royal” in their military names. Some people thought the change was made for political reasons.

Military families

The 2021 Census showed that Canada had 345,180 military families, which is about 3.4% of all families in the country. This group included 53,510 families where at least one person is currently serving in the military.

Most of these military families were made up of couples where one partner served and the other did not have any military experience. Some families had both partners serving, or one partner who had previously served and is now a Veteran. A smaller number were families with only one parent, and that parent was serving in the military.

The majority of military families in Canada were Veteran families, meaning at least one person in the family had previously served in the military. In places like Ottawa–Gatineau, Halifax, and Québec, active military families made up a smaller portion compared to Veteran and non-military families.

Active military families were more likely to have moved to a different province or territory in the past five years compared to Veteran and non-military families.