MIL-OSI Canada: Canadian Armed Forces and Partner Nations gather at CFB Gagetown for Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER

October 17, 2024 – Ottawa – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Over 400 members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), alongside soldiers from nine partner nations, are participating in Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER 2024, a Canadian Army-led international counter-explosive exercise, at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, New Brunswick.

The exercise brings together forces from Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. This training provides an opportunity to strengthen skills and build capacity to counter and dispose of explosive threats, as well as exploit capabilities to counter future threats.

This year, emerging technologies, such as Uncrewed Aerial Systems and Additive Manufacturing, will be leveraged and integrated into the training to demonstrate ways to enhance operational efficiency and security on a unified front against adversaries.

Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER is a key activity that allows the CAF and partner nations to incorporate lessons observed from Ukraine and adapt their training.

“Interoperability is crucial to the Canadian Army’s ability to fulfill Government of Canada objectives, ensure readiness, respond to emerging threats, and meet defence priorities. Exercise ARDENT DEFENDER highlights our commitment to collective security efforts alongside our NATO allies and partner nations.”

Lieutenant-General Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army