Canada faces a daunting task in defending its vast and treacherous Arctic territory, as it finds itself caught between the strategic interests of the United States and Russia. With an area roughly the size of continental Europe and a small population, Canada is working to strengthen its military presence and infrastructure in the region to safeguard its sovereignty.
Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to increase “boots on the ground” in Canada’s Arctic, which spans nearly 4 million square kilometres. This comes as the Trump administration has renewed focus on the Arctic, with concerns over perceived vulnerabilities to US adversaries. Canada has sought to reassure the US and NATO allies that it is doing its part to protect the region, with investments in radar systems, submarines, aircraft, and military bases.
However, challenges persist, including limited port facilities and difficulties resupplying remote bases that are sometimes thousands of kilometres apart. Experts warn that emerging threats, such as hypersonic missiles that can travel at least five times the speed of sound, pose a significant challenge to the existing North American defense system.
“That technology has changed everything for us. We have to relook at the entire North American defence system and re-do it,” said Troy Bouffard, the director of the Fairbanks, Alaska-based Center for Arctic Security and Resilience. “What exists right now cannot defend against hypersonic cruise missiles, at all. Like 0%.”
The Trump administration’s planned “Golden Dome” missile defense system for North America has further strained relations between Canada and the US, with the two countries at odds over Canada’s involvement in the project. While Canada has opposed the US’s bid to “take over” Greenland, which is a self-governing part of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Canadian government has recognized the need to bolster its Arctic defenses in response to American concerns.
“Whether or not American concerns are justified, there is a feeling in Ottawa that we have to satisfy [them],” said Michael Byers, an expert in Arctic security at the University of British Columbia. “No one takes the 51st state issue seriously, but what we do take seriously are the economic pressures that the US is able to impose.”
Despite the tensions, experts express confidence that the US and Canada will continue to cooperate on the ground in the Arctic, as the “practitioners are still going to work together until they’re not allowed to.” As Canada strengthens its military presence and capabilities in the region, it must navigate the complex geopolitical landscape to defend its Arctic sovereignty.
