More than 40,000 military personnel from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries, including Canada, will be brought together for an exercise described as the largest since the end of the Cold War. This will be held in Germany, Poland and the three Baltic countries in 2024.
“A new era of collective defense is upon us,” said Admiral Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, announcing Exercise Steadfast Defender a few days ago in Oslo.
By email, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) confirmed to The Press that they will be part of this exercise, but that “Canadian participation is still in the planning stages” and that it is therefore too early to give details as to the number of military personnel participating and with what equipment.
“This participation will also include members from Canada who are not necessarily deployed as part of Operation REASSURANCE, and possibly air and maritime components which are not part of this operation,” adds Andrée-Anne Poulin, from the Office of CAF media relations.
Operation REASSURANCE is an overseas deployment (Latvia) of some 1,100 Canadian troops participating in NATO deterrence maneuvers in Central and Eastern Europe in response to Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014.
“This is the most important military alliance that Canada is a part of,” says Robert Baines, president of the Canadian NATO Association. So it’s important to be there. »
Moreover, in June 2023, Germany hosted the largest NATO air exercise in 70 years, but Canada was conspicuous by its absence. “I believe the CF-18 planes were not ready,” continues Mr. Baines. But it didn’t look good. The Canadian absence was very noticeable. »
Show of force
Exercises such as Steadfast Defender practice and evaluate the interrelated plans of NATO’s 31 nations. But we note that that of 2024 will be held on the easternmost flank of the grouping, and therefore at the gates of Russia.
Since the invasion of Ukraine, NATO countries have not only strengthened their ties, they have also welcomed a 31e member country Finland in April 2023. Sweden could also join the ranks shortly.
“NATO has always presented itself as a deterrent force,” recalls Robert Baines. But since Russia’s invasion, member countries want to show they can defend themselves and counterattack if necessary. »
Robert Baines is hopeful that the FAC will be well prepared for the 2024 exercise. “Part of it will be held in the Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), where Canada is already present,” he notes. By the time the exercise takes place, I believe that approximately 1,500 Canadian troops will be stationed in Latvia. »