Friday, March 21, 2025
The Department of National Defence announced Iqaluit, Inuvik, and Yellowknife as Northern Operational Support Hub locations. These will increase the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence and responsiveness across the Arctic and the North.
As announced in Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence (released April 8, 2024), the renewed vision for defence, Canada will be investing $2.67 billion over 20 years to establish a network of Northern Operational Support Hubs. These hubs, consisting of airstrips, logistics facilities, and equipment, will enable the Canadian Armed Forces to better assert Canadian sovereignty and support greater year-round presence.
“This milestone will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with critical infrastructure to enhance its presence and responsiveness across the Arctic and the North. It marks significant progress in the Northern Operational Support Hub initiative and advances our commitment to working hand-in-hand with federal partners, the provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and Northern communities to enhance the Canadian Armed Forces’ footprint in the Canadian Arctic,” said Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence.
These hubs will function as a dispersed network of logistical stations, which will extend the Canadian Armed Forces’ operational reach, reduce logistical constraints, and enhance support for military operations in the Arctic.
This initiative represents a new way of approaching defence and sustainment in the Arctic and the North and will help keep Canadians safe and secure in the face of dramatic changes in our physical and security environment.
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces and other federal partners are actively working to identify other hub locations and will continue to work closely with the territorial governments, and local Northern and Indigenous partners through deliberate, dedicated engagements.
“The Arctic’s strategic importance is rapidly increasing. This initiative will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the infrastructure and capabilities needed to maintain a year-round presence in the North so that we can respond swiftly to challenges, deter threats or defeat them when necessary,” said Lieutenant-General Steve Boivin, Commander, Canadian Joint Operations Command.
The Canadian government’s investment in Northern Operational Support Hubs reflects a strategic commitment to enhancing Canada’s Arctic presence. These hubs are designed to serve multiple critical objectives:
- They will provide scalable infrastructure that can be quickly activated, allowing for swift military operations when needed, increased military responsiveness, and the ability to address challenges in remote Northern regions on shorter notice and for longer periods, when required; and
- They will enable the military to better support Canadian sovereignty by establishing a greater year-round military presence across the Arctic.
The Northern Operational Support Hubs will support a range of Canadian Armed Forces operations in the Arctic and, where possible, support the missions of other federal government partners, provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, and Northern communities. The hubs will consist of new and upgraded infrastructure.
Featured image: (Government of Canada)
