Canada Seeks Membership in UK-Led Joint Expeditionary Force as European Defense Ties Expand

Canada has formally applied to join the 10-nation Joint Expeditionary Force as Ottawa pursues closer military cooperation with European allies and seeks to reduce its defense reliance on the United States.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

Canada has formally submitted an application to join the United Kingdom-led Joint Expeditionary Force, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s office announced Wednesday, marking another step in Ottawa’s effort to expand its defense relationships with European countries.

The Joint Expeditionary Force, or JEF, is a rapid-response military partnership made up of 10 NATO countries in northern Europe. Its current members are Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

“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,” Carney’s office said in a statement.

Canada is already a NATO member but has been pursuing broader military cooperation with European allies while seeking to reduce its dependence on the United States for defense.

The announcement followed Carney’s meeting with British Prime Minister Andy Burnham in northern England.

During their talks, the two leaders discussed opportunities to deepen defense-industrial cooperation, including Canada’s potential involvement in the Global Combat Air Programme.

Canada joined the advanced fighter aircraft project as an observer in July 2026, according to Carney’s office.

The Global Combat Air Programme represents another avenue through which Canada is exploring closer defense ties with Britain and other partners while assessing future military capabilities.

Canada’s application to the Joint Expeditionary Force would, if accepted, add the North American NATO member to a coalition currently composed entirely of European nations.

The JEF is structured as a rapid-response partnership designed to allow participating countries to cooperate militarily and deploy forces when required. Canada’s requested entry would extend its existing NATO relationships into an additional multinational defense framework led by the United Kingdom.

Ottawa’s application comes as the Carney government works to broaden Canada’s defense partnerships beyond its longstanding military relationship with the United States, including through expanded cooperation with European governments and participation in multinational defense programs.