Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Canada Applies to Join UK-Led Joint Expeditionary Force
Canada has asked to join a defence group led by the United Kingdom.
The group is called the Joint Expeditionary Force, or JEF.
It includes 10 Northern European countries that work together on military matters.
Members train together and help each other prepare for security problems.
The United Kingdom supports Canada’s application.
Canada was invited to join more than 10 years ago but did not accept then.
The Canadian and UK leaders also discussed new military aircraft cooperation and upgrades to a Canadian training base.
They agreed to work more closely on technology and the safe use of artificial intelligence.
Prime Minister Mark Carney formally applied for Canada to join the Joint Expeditionary Force, a coalition of 10 Northern European NATO nations.
The United Kingdom, the JEF’s framework nation, expressed support for Canada’s participation.
The coalition promotes military cooperation, interoperability, joint training and readiness for regional security challenges.
Canada had previously been invited to join after the 2014 NATO summit, but Stephen Harper’s government declined amid budget cuts and military concerns.
Carney and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham also discussed air-combat cooperation, modernising Canadian training facilities and collaboration on artificial intelligence.
- Who
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham discussed Canada’s application.
- What
- Canada formally applied to join the 10-nation Joint Expeditionary Force.
- When
- The application was announced on Wednesday; the article does not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- The announcement followed talks between Carney and Burnham in Liverpool.
- Why
- The leaders said they were strengthening Canada-UK defence and security cooperation; the JEF focuses on mutual support, military cooperation and readiness.
- Applicant
- Canada
- Defence coalition
- Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF)
- Number of current members
- 10 Northern European NATO nations
- Framework nation
- United Kingdom
- Previous invitation
- Canada was previously invited more than a decade ago but declined after the 2014 NATO summit.
- Additional defence project
- The BATUS Future Project would modernise British Army Training Unit Suffield in Canada.
- Technology cooperation
- The leaders agreed to deepen collaboration on frontier technologies, including safe and responsible artificial intelligence.