Canada seeks entry into UK-led military force as it deepens European defence ties

Canada has formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force after talks between Mark Carney and Andy Burnham in northern England. The move underlines Ottawa's push to widen defence ties in Europe while working more closely with the UK on security initiatives.

In Short

• Britain welcomed Ottawa's application to the rapid-response northern European military group
• Carney and Burnham discussed defence industry links, including the GCAP fighter programme
• Canada joined the advanced fighter jet project as an observer in 2026

Canada has formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), Prime Minister Mark Carney's office said on Wednesday, as Ottawa moves to strengthen its defence ties with European allies and reduce its reliance on the United States.

The JEF is a rapid-response military partnership comprising 10 Nato member states from northern Europe. Canada's application was welcomed by Britain, according to a statement from Carney's office.

"Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada has formally applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force and welcomed the UK's support for Canada's participation in this important initiative," the statement said.

Canada is already a member of Nato but has been seeking closer defence cooperation with European countries as it looks to diversify its military partnerships beyond Washington.

CARNEY, BURNHAM DISCUSS DEFENCE COOPERATION

Carney met British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in northern England, where the two leaders discussed opportunities for defence-industrial cooperation, including through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

Canada joined the advanced fighter jet programme as an observer in July 2026.

The leaders also discussed the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence and agreed on the need for governments and technology companies to work together on shared concerns and online safety, Downing Street said.

They further discussed deepening defence cooperation, including the complementary roles of the Multilateral Defence Mechanism and the Canada-led Defence Security Resilience Bank (DSRB).

CANADA, UK SEEK CLOSER EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIPS

The DSRB has faced difficulties in securing backing from some of Europe's larger nations, with Britain and Germany previously distancing themselves from the initiative.

However, UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves told parliament in June that Britain was now "working closely" with Canada on the DSRB.

Both leaders stressed the importance of strengthening ties with European partners, particularly in trade and defence.

10 NATO NATIONS MAKE UP JEF

The JEF was established as a flexible military partnership capable of responding rapidly to security threats. Its members are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Canada's move to seek membership comes as Ottawa works to broaden its defence relationships and deepen military cooperation with European partners.

- Ends
With inputs from Reuters