Key Takeaways
- Canada is on track to meet NATO’s 5 % of GDP defence‑spending target by 2035, driven by historic investments in submarines, icebreakers, aircraft, missiles and cyber capabilities.
- New defence‑industry contracts – including a Telesat satellite‑communications deal, an $800 million Kongsberg missile purchase, and a Canadian‑only Light Utility Vehicle tender – will boost domestic production and create jobs.
- Canada will join the NATO Innovation Sub‑Fund, host the 2027 NATO Industry Forum, and launch the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank to mobilise private capital for security projects.
- Trade negotiations are underway with Germany (Strategic Partnership Agreement) and Türkiye (comprehensive free‑trade agreement) to deepen economic ties alongside security cooperation.
- Operation REASSURANCE is extended to 2031 with up to 2,600 persistently deployed personnel, and Canada will become the third Framework Nation of Multinational Division North, reinforcing NATO’s Eastern Flank.
- Continued support for Ukraine includes $475 million for ammunition, nearly $400 million for armoured combat support vehicles, and $50 million for IT/engineering equipment, adding to over $25.5 billion in total Canadian assistance since 2022.
Overview of the 2026 NATO Summit Participation
Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded Canada’s participation at the 2026 NATO Summit held in Ankara, Türkiye. The summit produced a joint declaration reaffirming Allied commitment to NATO and transatlantic security. Carney emphasized that Canada is advancing on a clear path to meet NATO’s defence‑spending benchmark of 5 % of GDP by 2035, reflecting a broader strategy of historic investments, institutional reforms, and strengthened alliances.
Major Defence Investments Announced
To bolster collective defence, the Prime Minister unveiled a series of ambitious investments. These include funding for a new submarine fleet, the expansion of Canada’s icebreaker capacity to become the world’s second‑largest fleet, and procurement of next‑generation aircraft, long‑range missiles, and cyber defence systems. The investments are designed to enhance Canada’s ability to defend its Arctic approaches, support Allied operations, and deter emerging threats across the Euro‑Atlantic region.
Defence‑Industry Partnerships and Contracts
Carney highlighted several concrete agreements that will stimulate the domestic defence industrial base. An agreement‑in‑principle with Telesat will utilise the Telesat Lightspeed constellation to provide sovereign, reliable military satellite communications in the Arctic, expected to trigger a multi‑billion‑dollar investment in Canada’s defence sector. An approximately $800 million contract with Norway’s Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace will acquire Joint Strike Missiles for integration into future Royal Canadian Air Force fighter aircraft. Additionally, the Light Utility Vehicle procurement strategy was revised to limit the tender to two Canadian suppliers, aiming to deliver 1,600‑2,100 vehicles and 400‑500 light utility trailers for the militarised portion of the Canadian Armed Forces’ fleet.
Innovation and Industrial Collaboration Initiatives
To foster transatlantic innovation, Canada announced it will open technical negotiations to join the NATO Innovation Sub‑Fund, which focuses on developing emerging technologies critical to Alliance defence while giving Canadian innovators access to capital, networks, and markets. Furthermore, Canada will host the 2027 NATO Industry Forum, a platform designed to deepen cooperation between Allies and industry, accelerate defence innovation, and expand industrial capacity across the Alliance.
Strengthening Economic and Security Ties with Allies
The Prime Minister also launched negotiations for a Canada‑Germany Strategic Partnership Agreement. As Canada’s largest trading partner in the EU, the agreement will encompass cooperation on security and defence, technology, investment, supply chains, raw materials, energy, and space, creating concrete projects that benefit workers and businesses in both nations. Parallel talks were initiated with Türkiye on a comprehensive free‑trade agreement; bilateral trade reached $4.3 billion in 2025, and the deal aims to unlock further opportunities for investors, workers, and firms in each country.
Enhanced Role on NATO’s Eastern Flank
Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s largest overseas mission launched in 2014, will be extended through 2031, with plans to increase persistently deployed personnel to up to 2,600. Carney confirmed that Canada will join Latvia and Denmark as the third Framework Nation of Multinational Division North, assuming greater responsibility for deterring Russian aggression and reinforcing NATO’s Eastern Flank. This expansion underscores Canada’s commitment to collective defence and its readiness to shoulder a larger share of Alliance security duties.
Establishment of the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank
Building on discussions in Montréal, Carney welcomed support from eight countries for the Defence, Security and Resilience Bank (DSRB). As the future host of the DSRB’s headquarters, Canada will help create a multilateral financial institution that mobilises and deploys private capital quickly to bolster collective security. The DSRB will provide long‑term, low‑cost financing for defence, security, and resilience initiatives across supply chains, addressing critical gaps for governments and small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises while spurring job creation in emerging sectors such as AI, quantum, space, and cyber.
Continued Support for Ukraine
A portion of Canada’s previously pledged $2 billion in military assistance for Ukraine was detailed at the summit. $475 million will fund ammunition, including $75 million for extended‑range rounds via the Czech Ammunition Initiative and $400 million to source over 39 million rounds of various calibres from Canadian industry. Nearly $400 million will finance the production of 35 Canadian‑made armoured combat support vehicles to sustain Ukrainian frontline units. An additional $50 million will supply critical information technology and engineering equipment. These contributions add to Canada’s total multifaceted assistance to Ukraine of over $25.5 billion since 2022, including more than $8.5 billion in military aid.
Diplomatic Engagements and Shared Priorities
During the summit, Prime Minister Carney met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and leaders from Denmark, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, North Macedonia, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine. Discussions centred on strengthening Allied capabilities, sustaining support for Ukraine’s self‑defence, and restoring safe, unrestricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The meetings reinforced the consensus that a united Alliance is essential to confront evolving security challenges.
Conclusion and Leadership Statements
Carney closed his remarks by affirming that the threats facing Canada and its Allies are real and will be met by a nation prepared to defend its interests, citizens, and partners. He highlighted the rapid scaling of capabilities through historic investments in submarines, icebreakers, aircraft, and cyber defences, and stressed that Canada is now a stronger, more capable NATO member with greater ability to advance collective security.
Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty echoed this sentiment, noting that Canada will continue to lead by investing in the Canadian Armed Forces, deepening cooperation with Allies, and helping build a more secure, resilient NATO.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand added that generational defence investments are strengthening Canadian sovereignty, supporting the domestic defence industry, and deepening Atlantic partnerships, while maintaining steadfast support for Ukraine as it defends its sovereignty.
Through these combined efforts—enhanced defence spending, industrial partnerships, innovation initiatives, expanded trade ties, a reinforced Eastern Flank presence, the new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, and sustained aid to Ukraine—Canada is positioning itself to meet both current and future security challenges while contributing to a more prosperous and stable transatlantic community.