Canada expands military presence in the Arctic with new support centres

Canada has announced plans to significantly boost its military presence in the Arctic region, according to the Ministry of National Defence.

In a statement released by the ministry, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair revealed that operational support centres would be established in Iqaluit, Inuvik, and Yellowknife, per Caliber.Az.

This move aims to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces' presence and responsiveness in the Arctic and the broader northern territories.

“As part of our updated defence strategy, Canada will invest CAD 2.67 billion ($1.86 billion) over the next 20 years to establish a network of northern operational support centres,” the statement said. These centres will include airstrips, logistics facilities, and equipment, which will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to better safeguard Canadian sovereignty and ensure a more robust year-round presence in the region.

Blair emphasized the significance of the initiative, saying, “This milestone will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with critical infrastructure to enhance its presence and responsiveness across the Arctic and the North. It marks significant progress in the Northern Operational Support Hub initiative and advances our commitment to working hand-in-hand with federal partners, the provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and Northern communities to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ footprint in the Canadian Arctic.”

The establishment of these support hubs is part of a broader effort to address the changing security and physical environment in the Arctic. The initiative, Blair noted, “represents a new approach to defense and resilience in the Arctic and the North” and is vital for ensuring the safety of Canadians in the face of increasing geopolitical challenges.

The government’s investment in these Northern Operational Support Hubs is a strategic move to enhance Canada’s Arctic presence. These hubs will serve a variety of functions, including:

• Providing scalable infrastructure that can be rapidly activated for military operations, improving the military’s responsiveness and ability to address challenges in remote regions.
• Supporting Canadian sovereignty by ensuring a stronger, year-round military presence in the Arctic.

The hubs will not only support military operations but will also provide assistance to other federal government partners, provinces, territories, Indigenous groups, and Northern communities. The infrastructure development will include both new construction and upgrades to existing facilities.

Throughout the planning and implementation of these hubs, the Canadian government will engage with Indigenous peoples and northern communities, in accordance with the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.

This initiative aligns with the Government of Canada's broader defence strategy, as outlined in Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence, released on April 8, 2024. This policy includes $8.1 billion in new defence spending over five years and an additional $73 billion over 20 years to bolster Canada's defence capabilities.

By Tamilla Hasanova