Canadian soldiers join Arctic exercise to bolster NATO’s northern flank

Members of the 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group participate in a training exercise at Garrison Petawawa. (Photo courtesy: CFB Petawawa)

A small contingent of Canadian soldiers will join military personnel from the United States and Finland next week for exercises in the Arctic intended to strengthen NATO’s northern defences.

Approximately 40 soldiers from a Canadian Army mechanized brigade group have deployed to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, ahead of the exercise, which is expected to include an airlift over the North Pole to simulate a rapid military deployment to Finland.

A statement from the Department of National Defence says the Canadians will integrate with the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain and 11th Airborne divisions before the flight across the Arctic for cold-weather exercises in Finland.

The training is part of Arctic Forge 25, the second iteration of a biennial U.S.-led exercise established in 2023. This year marks the first time the Canadian military is participating in the pan-Arctic exercise.

In the statement, the military says the training will “enhance the combat readiness of participating allies by strengthening plans for rapid deployments to NATO’s northern flank and building a better understanding of each other’s cold weather equipment and capabilities.”

Approximately 850 American and Finnish military personnel will participate in the exercise in Finland’s northern Lapland region from Feb. 17 to 28.

“Interoperability with our Arctic allies provides strategic advantage to Canada and the (NATO) alliance,” Lt.-Gen. Michael Wright, commander of the Canadian Army, said in the statement Thursday.

“Exercise Arctic Forge 25 offers a valuable opportunity to share expertise in warfighting, mobility, and logistics amongst seasoned Arctic operators. Our participation in this exercise underscores our commitment to strategic deterrence and the collective defence of NATO’s northern flank.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Jolie announced Canada’s new Arctic foreign policy in December 2024, emphasizing stronger collaboration with Nordic allies and the United States as potential Arctic adversaries like Russia and China increase their presence in the region.