Mission Ready: Equipping the Forces – Meeting NATO’s two per cent target

March 27, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 2:30

Canada has reached NATO's two per cent defence spending target -a significant milestone that is delivering for our people, our readiness and our ability to operate in an increasingly complex and unpredictable security environment.

We are already seeing tangible results.

Rebuilding the Defence Team

New investments are improving the experience of CAF members, strengthening our operational capacity and expanding the military and civilian workforces.

What this means for the Defence Team

• CAF recruitment:
  • The CAF is on track to meet its target of 7,000 Regular Force recruits this fiscal year.
  • The Reserve Force has enrolled 3,200 new members, up from 2,200 last year.
• Increases in CAF pay and benefits:
  • CAF members received the most significant improvements to their compensation and benefits in a generation.
  • Investment continues in healthcare, peer support programs, the grievance system, and the renewal of the Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program.
• New investments in military housing across the country are improving stability for military families and support the long-term retention of experienced personnel.

Improving serviceability and operational readiness

Increased defence funding is accelerating equipment and infrastructure projects essential to enabling sustained CAF operations.

What this means for the Defence Team

• Land, sea and air fleets: Previously limited by spare-parts shortages, obsolescence and industry capacity, resources have been allocated to restore these fleets to operational effectiveness.
• Spare parts, equipment and supplies: Increasing their availability means more ships, aircraft, vehicles and facilities are mission-ready, and our people have the tools they need.
• Investments in infrastructure: Critical to the CAF's operational success, infrastructure upgrades - including on bases and wings, at training ranges and to runways - support new capabilities and future operations.
• Rebuilding domestic capabilities: Modernizing our ammunition depots and increasing our ability to produce ammunition here at home means we reduce dependency on foreign suppliers and protect our sovereignty, national interests and long-term security.

Delivering new military capabilities

We are moving faster and staying on track for delivery to meet our current and future military needs, ensuring that the CAF is equipped to address current and evolving threats.

What this means for the Defence Team

• 15 new River-class destroyers will equip the Royal Canadian Navy with the modern ships it needs to support current and future operations.
• 360 new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles will provide the Canadian Army with ambulances, mobile repair and recovery vehicles, engineer support vehicles and command posts. They will replace the current Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) IIBison and M113 Tracked LAV fleets.
• The Logistics Vehicle Modernization project will acquire new fleets of light and heavy logistics vehicles, trailers, vehicle modules and armour protection kits to transport personnel, equipment and supplies for the Canadian Army.
• The Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project will procure enhanced long-range, long-endurance, multi-mission aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force, specialized in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. They will replace the CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft.

Securing Canada and the Arctic

The Defence Team is taking bold steps to enhance its presence, awareness and operability in the Arctic.

What this means for the Defence Team

• Major investments in the North will enable the CAF to defend our Arctic security and deploy rapidly in the region, supporting year-round response.
• Major projects, such as the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar system, improve the CAF's reach, mobility and responsiveness in the Arctic and North.
• The expanded security role of the Canadian Coast Guard has enhanced vigilance in the North, directly contributing to the security and sovereignty of our maritime approaches.