Canada applies to join UK-led military coalition

Canada, seeking to diversify its defence ties away ‌from the United States, has formally applied to join the British-led Joint Expeditionary Force military coalition, Prime ​Minister Mark Carney's office said on Wednesday. The ​force, a grouping of 10 North Atlantic ⁠NATO member states, is a rapid response ​military partnership. "Prime Minister Carney announced that Canada ​has formally applied to join the Joint Expeditionary Force and welcomed the UK's support for Canada's participation in ​this important initiative," Carney's office said in ​a statement. Read More: Canada set to become EU's first associate member Canada, already a member of NATO, is seeking ‌closer ⁠military cooperation with European nations as it tries to reduce its reliance on the United States. Carney had earlier met British Prime Minister ​Andy Burnham ​in northern ⁠England. The two men discussed opportunities for defence industrial cooperation through the ​Global Combat Air Programme, an advanced ​fighter ⁠jet project that Canada joined as an observer in July 2026, Carney's office said. The JEF comprises Denmark, ⁠Estonia, ​Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, ​the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom.