# Canada applies to join UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force
- Published: 2026-09-18
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Country: international
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/canada-applies-to-join-uk-led-joint-expeditionary-force.md)
- Primary source: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/09/17/prime-minister-carney-deepens-ties-trusted-allies-visit-france-and
- Tags: mark carney, canada, joint expeditionary force, jef, storbritannien, andy burnham, arctic, high north, baltic sea, danmark, finland, island, norge, sverige, estland, lettland, litauen, nederländerna, united kingdom, denmark, iceland, norway, sweden, estonia, latvia, lithuania, netherlands

> Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on 16 September that the country has formally applied for membership in the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, which focuses on security in the Arctic Ocean, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic. The application follows a March summit in Oslo, where Canada and the five Nordic countries agreed to deepen their Arctic security cooperation.

![Prime Minister Andy Burnham with Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/0756d277-c7ae-4cba-a385-05fcf7e62400/public)
*Prime Minister Andy Burnham with Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada · Simon Dawson, No. 10 Downing Street*

**Canada has [formally applied](https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2026/09/17/prime-minister-carney-deepens-ties-trusted-allies-visit-france-and) to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on 16 September. He made the announcement during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool.**

The JEF is a ten-nation coalition led by the UK. Its Nordic members are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands are also members. The coalition focuses on deterrence and crisis response across the High North, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic.

Prime Minister Carney “welcomed the UK’s support on this front”, according to his office.

The application follows a [March summit](http://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/joint-nordic-and-canadian-statement) in Oslo, previously reported on by NDS. At the summit, Canada and the five Nordic prime ministers agreed to deepen Arctic security cooperation.

## FAQ

**What is the Joint Expeditionary Force that Canada has applied to join?**

The Joint Expeditionary Force is a ten-nation coalition led by the UK that focuses on deterrence and crisis response across the High North, the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic. Canada formally applied to join it, expanding the group's geographic reach and membership. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-18.

**When did Canada announce its application to join the JEF, and who made the announcement?**

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the formal application on 16 September during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham in Liverpool. His office said Carney welcomed the UK's support for Canada's bid to join the coalition. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-18.

**Which countries are currently members of the Joint Expeditionary Force?**

The JEF's Nordic members are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands are also part of the UK-led coalition. Canada's application follows a March summit in Oslo where it agreed with Nordic leaders to deepen Arctic security cooperation. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-18.

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