Canada formally applies to join UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force

OTTAWA, Sept. 16 (Xinhua) -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Wednesday that Canada has formally applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) during his visit to the United Kingdom (UK).

Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks with media on Parliament Hill following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Canada-US Relations and National Security, in Ottawa, March 27, 2025. (Photo: AP)

According to a readout published on the prime minister's website, Carney welcomed the UK's support for Canada's participation in the initiative.

The JEF was formally launched in 2014 at the NATO Wales Summit, with Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK as its founding nations. Finland and Sweden joined in 2017, followed by Iceland in 2021.

On Wednesday, Carney met with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham during his visit to the UK.

The two leaders discussed opportunities for defense industrial cooperation through the Global Combat Air Programme, which Canada joined as an observer in July, said the readout.