Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are proud to serve Canada by defending its values, interests and sovereignty at home and abroad. They support freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world.
The CAF are an entity separate and distinct from the Department. The CAF are headed by the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Thomas J Lawson, Canada’s senior serving officer. He is responsible for the conduct of military operations and to ensure that the CAF is always ready to carry out the tasks that Parliament assigns through the Minister of National Defence.
The mandate of Canadian Armed Forces is:
Every day thousands of members of the Canadian Armed Forces contribute to protecting Canada by:
Canada helps to defend North America by working with the United States at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) to monitor and defend continental airspace and ocean areas.
The Canadian Forces contribute to international peace and security through operations around the world. Canadian Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed overseas on operational missions. On any given day, one third of the deployable force are preparing for, engaged in, or returning from an overseas mission.
The Canadian Forces serve on the sea, on land, and in the air, with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force.
The Royal Canadian Navy is the maritime component of the Canadian Armed Forces. It protects Canada’s interests by:
The Royal Canadian Navy is composed of approximately 8,400 full-time sailors and 5,100 part-time sailors.
The Canadian Army is the land component of the Canadian Armed Forces. It protects Canada’s interests by:
The Canadian Army is composed of approximately 21,600 full-time soldiers, 20,000 Reservists, and 5,000 Canadian Rangers.
The Royal Canadian Air Force is the air component of the Canadian Armed Forces. It protects Canada’s interests by:
The Royal Canadian Air Force is composed of approximately 13,365 full-time and 2,035 Reserve airmen and airwomen.