The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are the unified military services of Canada, responsible for defending the country, protecting its sovereignty, and contributing to international peace and security.

Structure

The Canadian Armed Forces consist of three main branches:

  • Canadian Army
  • Royal Canadian Navy
  • Royal Canadian Air Force

All branches operate under a unified command structure.

Role and missions

The CAF undertakes a wide range of missions, including:

  • National defence
  • Disaster response within Canada
  • Peacekeeping and international security operations
  • Support to allies through multinational missions

Civilian control

The Canadian Armed Forces operate under civilian control, with authority flowing from the Crown through the Governor General of Canada and the elected government.

International role

Canada has a long history of participating in international peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and collective defence operations.

See also