Canada boosts Arctic military presence amid rising global tensions

Canada expands Arctic operations through Operation Nanook as climate change opens new security front.

Canadian soldiers from the 5th Canadian Division set up camp during Operation Nanook, the Canadian Armed Forces' annual Arctic training and sovereignty mission, in Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada. Photo by Cole Burston/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Canada is strengthening its Arctic military presence through Operation Nanook, a large-scale annual training exercise preparing troops for extreme conditions in the country's far north. The move comes as melting Arctic ice opens new routes and resources, making the region a potential flashpoint for geopolitical conflict. Canada boosts Arctic military presence, highlights a growing defense strategy responding to both climate change and mounting pressure from rivals like Russia and China.

At the heart of the effort is the challenge of navigating and operating in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Canadian Air Force helicopter pilot Jonathan Vokey explained how traditional flying techniques must be adapted in the Arctic. “Operating in the cold, it's hard on the body, but it also can be challenging with the aircraft as well,” said Vokey, who spoke while participating in the military exercise in the high north.

Operation Nanook, named after the Inuit word for polar bear, was first launched in 2007 and has grown significantly in both scope and strategic importance. It simulates real-time defense scenarios, including search and rescue, territorial surveillance, and hostile threat detection. Canada’s increased focus on this training reflects its broader efforts to assert control over a region that now sees rising international interest.

Climate change opens Arctic access

The Canadian Arctic makes up around 40 percent of the country’s landmass. But until recently, it was largely inaccessible for much of the year due to extreme cold and thick sea ice. That’s quickly changing. With global temperatures rising, the Arctic ice is melting, exposing new navigable waters and vast reserves of untapped natural resources, including oil, gas, fresh water, and rare earth minerals.

Colonel Darren Turner, joint task force commander of Operation Nanook, described this shift in stark terms: “You can access the north now more easily than you have ever been able to. And I would say that that's going to change even more drastically over the next 10, 20 years.”

He added, “Once a route is opened, they will come. And that is something that we need to have an interest in. That is something that we need to have the capabilities to interdict, to stop.”

This evolving landscape has brought the Arctic into focus for world powers. Canada now faces the reality that its sovereignty over the Arctic is not just symbolic, but a strategic imperative.

New infrastructure and troop readiness

To meet these challenges, Canada is expanding its military infrastructure in the north. The government has announced plans to build three Arctic military hubs, part of a broader plan to extend operational capacity year-round. Operation Nanook plays a crucial role in that expansion by preparing both regular and reserve troops to endure and operate in sub-zero conditions.

In a large canvas tent set on a vast stretch of snow and ice, soldiers drilled techniques for surviving icy waters. In another part of the Arctic, a specialized team practiced detecting potential threats using infrared technology. However, as Captain Vokey and others noted, even advanced tech faces limitations in the north. The extreme cold can interfere with thermal imaging, making it harder to identify human activity.

Jonathan Jacques Savoie, a dive team leader, emphasized the dominance of the environment. “The main challenge on Op. Nanook in this location is the environment. The environment always dictates how we live, fight and move in the field,” he said, as temperatures plunged to -26 degrees Celsius (-14.8 Fahrenheit).

For many, Operation Nanook is a trial by fire—or rather, by ice. Corporal Cassidy Lambert, an infantry reservist from Newfoundland and Labrador, said the Arctic was unlike anything she had experienced. “I don’t handle the cold too well, but I think I’ve prepped myself well enough,” she shared.

Adapting to the Arctic way of life

Training goes far beyond weapons or tactics—it’s about survival. Frostbite prevention is drilled repeatedly. Troops are taught to avoid sweating too much under heavy gear, as perspiration can freeze and cause dangerous chilling. Rifleman Steven Breau, with New Brunswick’s North Shore Regiment, highlighted these lessons: “It’s really important to stay dry, to take body heat into account. If you get too hot, you sweat. It gets wet, then it gets cold, then it freezes.”

Though the Arctic seems far removed from traditional battlegrounds, military strategists believe it could become a focal point in future power struggles. The barren tundra, frozen ocean, and snow-covered landscapes offer no obvious signs of conflict. Yet beneath the surface lies a new frontier—one with enormous strategic value.

Global rivals eye the Arctic

The urgency around Arctic defense isn’t coming only from climate scientists or military generals. It’s also fueled by political signals. Former U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed interest in purchasing Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. His motivation, he claimed, was securing the Arctic for American national security.

In Canada, the new Prime Minister Mark Carney made the Arctic one of his first destinations after taking office. He visited Iqaluit to unveil a multi-billion-dollar radar system designed to enhance northern surveillance. "This radar deal is crucial to securing the nation's sovereignty," Carney said, linking technology investment directly to national defense.

During the Operation Nanook briefings, Major Andrew Melvin told arriving troops that direct conflict with China or Russia was unlikely—but not impossible. He warned that foreign intelligence services from either the People’s Republic of China or the Russian Federation could attempt to gather intelligence during the exercise.

Arctic defense as a matter of identity

For Colonel Turner and many others in the Canadian Armed Forces, defending the Arctic is not just about protecting territory—it’s about safeguarding national identity.

“It’s a part of our raison d’être… from a sovereignty perspective,” Turner said, underlining how deeply tied the north is to Canada’s vision of itself.

Indeed, Canada boosting its Arctic military presence signals more than just a tactical adjustment. It reflects a broader shift in how the country sees its role on the world stage. As the polar landscape transforms, Canada is moving to ensure that it isn’t left behind—or worse, left out.

Whether it’s preventing foreign encroachment, protecting vital resources, or ensuring the safety of its people, Canada’s military is preparing for a new chapter in the Arctic—one written in snow, ice, and resolve.