Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2026 concludes with strengthened Arctic defence presence
Press Release
April 16, 2026 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) has successfully concluded Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2026 (Op NA-NU 26), the largest and most comprehensive winter operation in the Arctic under the broader Operation NANOOK framework.
From February to April 2026, approximately 1,300 CAF members—supported by nearly 200 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including two M777 howitzers—conducted land, air, and joint operations across the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba. As the largest iteration of Op NA-NU to date, the 2026 edition underscored the growing importance of CAF operations in the Arctic, and included military participation from Belgium, Denmark, France, and the United States.
As global interest and activity in the Arctic continue to increase, the CAF remains committed to maintaining a permanent presence in the Arctic and the North. The successful completion of Op NA-NU 26 represents a significant milestone in this enduring mission, supporting efforts to detect threats early, deter adversaries, and enhance the CAF’s ability to defend the Arctic across the land, maritime, air, cyber, and space domains.
Demonstrating Canada’s capacity to project and sustain combat-capable forces over vast distances while operating seamlessly with allies and Northern partners, CAF personnel—including Canadian Rangers—conducted land, air, and joint activities. These included complex logistics movements, equipment trials in austere conditions, and a long-range patrol of more than 5,000 km from Inuvik, Northwest Territories, to Churchill, Manitoba.
The operation was conducted in close collaboration with Indigenous governments and communities, as well as territorial, municipal, and federal partners. Engagement with Northern communities took place so that operations respected local knowledge and priorities, reinforcing relationships critical to sustained presence and domain awareness.
Op NA‑NU 26 was conducted in coherence with Canada’s broader Arctic operations and contributes to the CAF’s support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) enhanced Vigilance Activity ARCTIC SENTRY. Through ARCTIC SENTRY, Canada is aligning its Arctic operations, exercises, and activities with those of its NATO Allies under a single, overarching operational approach—strengthening collective defence, reinforcing deterrence, and enhancing allied domain awareness across the Arctic and High North. This integrated approach reflects Canada’s enduring commitment to defending the Arctic alongside its allies while maintaining a permanent presence in the region.
Quotes
“Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2026 demonstrated the Canadian Armed Forces’ ability to project, sustain, and command combat-capable forces across vast distances in some of the world’s most demanding operating environments. Through this operation, our personnel operated seamlessly with allies, partners, and Northern communities to strengthen Canada’s Arctic defence posture and reinforce our capacity to detect, deter, and respond to threats in the North.”
Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander Canadian Joint Operations Command
“Operation NANOOK-NUNALIVUT 2026 demonstrated our ability to project, sustain, and command combat‑capable forces in the most demanding Arctic conditions. I visited several locations and conducted engagements with local leaders. The professionalism of our personnel, the strength of our partnerships with northern communities, and our seamless integration with allies underscore the Canadian Armed Forces’ unwavering commitment to a permanent defence presence in the North.”
Brigadier-General Daniel Rivière, Commander Joint Task Force North
Quick facts
Op NA-NU has been conducted annually since 2007 in various locations throughout Canada’s North, including Resolute Bay, Rankin Inlet, Tuktoyaktuk, and Inuvik. It is an all-domain defence and security operation designed to foster greater combined and joint interoperability with regional and international partners.
CAF participation in Op NA-NU 26 includes Regular and Reserve Force personnel from the following units:
Joint Task Force North;
3rd Canadian Division, including:
1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group
1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery
Primary Reserve units under 38 Canadian Brigade Group (CBG), headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and 41 CBG, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta;
1st Canadian Ranger Patrol Group;
417 Combat Support Squadron, from Cold Lake, Alberta;
439 Combat Support Squadron, from Bagotville, Québec;
440 Transport Squadron, from Yellowknife, Northwest Territories; and
450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, from Petawawa, Ontario.
Op NA-NU 26 also included other federal partners such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Parks Canada.
Military personnel from Belgium, Denmark, France, and the United States also took part in Op NA-NU 26.
Considering they didn't end up firing the m777s as was the plan after hauling them all that way, it's pretty ballsy to bring them up in the context of a "successful operation", even if it was a qualified success, and some of it was down right impressive. Just amusing, IMO.