Canada Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 28th
MPR SCORE: 890
MPR Index: 0.3911 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.5771 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +1.160 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
Canada ranks 28th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). As a G7 country and founding NATO member, Canada maintains a professional, technologically advanced military focused on expeditionary operations, Arctic sovereignty, and strategic alliances. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are relatively small for a nation of its size but offer high interoperability, mobility, and extensive multinational mission experience. Canada’s defense posture emphasizes collective security contributions while protecting its vast Arctic territory and maritime zones.
Strengths: Expeditionary Capability and NATO Integration
1. Professional, Deployable Force
The CAF fields well-trained land, air, and naval units designed for international missions, peacekeeping, and NATO rapid response.
It can deploy combined arms battlegroups across multiple theaters, particularly within NATO and UN frameworks.
2. Arctic Sovereignty and Northern Operations
Canada possesses one of the world’s longest Arctic coastlines and is a key stakeholder in polar geopolitics.
The military has invested in cold-weather training, long-range surveillance, and northern infrastructure to assert presence and monitor rising activity in the High North.
3. Advanced Equipment and Training Standards
Canada operates a mix of modernized platforms, including:
CF-18 Hornet fighters
Halifax-class frigates
Victoria-class submarines
C-17 Globemaster III and CC-130 Hercules aircraft
Its training system emphasizes joint operations, coalition compatibility, and technological proficiency.
4. Global Coalition Contributor
Canada consistently supports allied operations, with regular deployments to:
Latvia (NATO battlegroup)
Iraq (anti-ISIS operations)
Mali (UN logistics and airlift)
NORAD (North American aerospace defense alongside the U.S.)
Why Canada Is Ranked 28th
Canada’s lower ranking reflects limitations in scale, strategic deterrence, and force sustainability, despite high capability per unit.
1. Small Force Size and Sustainment Gaps
Active personnel: ~68,000
Limited reserve force and mobilization capacity
Relies on rotational deployments and coalition logistics rather than large-scale autonomous projection
Cannot sustain extended high-intensity campaigns without major allied support
2. No Strategic Deterrent or Heavy Strike Capability
Canada does not possess:
Nuclear weapons
Ballistic missile systems
Strategic bombers
Relies entirely on the U.S. nuclear umbrella via NORAD
Lacks indigenous long-range missile or space-based systems, reducing independent deterrence in strategic scenarios
3. Procurement Delays and Budgetary Constraints
Key acquisition programs (e.g. fighter replacement, National Shipbuilding Strategy) face delays and cost overruns
Defense spending remains well below 2% of GDP, despite NATO targets
Canada’s defense industry is technologically advanced but limited in scale compared to Germany, France, or the United Kingdom
Conclusion
Canada maintains a respected, professional, and technologically capable military with strong integration into Western defense structures, particularly NATO and NORAD. Its strengths lie in coalition operations, logistics, and Arctic monitoring, where it contributes unique capabilities.
In the MPR system—where force size, strategic autonomy, and sustained combat capacity are key—Canada ranks 28th due to its small active force, lack of strategic weapons, and limited industrial depth. While not a global warfighting force on its own, Canada remains a critical regional enabler and high-readiness NATO partner.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 68,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 27,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 8,000 (Royal Canadian Mounted Police - RCMP)
Army Personnel: 23,000
Navy Personnel: 16,000
Air Force Personnel: 14,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 82 (Leopard 2A4, 2A6)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 1,500+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 170+
Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS): None
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 100+ (IISS 2023)
Helicopters: 60+
Transport Aircraft: 50+
Aircraft Breakdown:
CF-18 Hornets: 76 (modernization ongoing)
C-130 Hercules: 17 (transport)
CC-177 Globemaster: 5 (strategic transport)
Naval Forces
Submarines: 4 (Victoria-class)
Frigates: 12 (Halifax-class)
Destroyers: None
Patrol Vessels: 6 Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS)
Landing Ships: None
Missile Capabilities
Canada focuses on defense capabilities through close cooperation with the United States, primarily relying on integrated missile defense through NORAD.
Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs): Part of NORAD missile defense systems
Anti-Ship Missiles: Harpoon missiles (naval)
Strategic Partnerships
Canada is deeply integrated with NATO and NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) with the United States. These alliances enhance its military capabilities, especially in terms of air defense and intelligence sharing.
Canada – Military History & Combat Experience
Canada’s military history is one of coalition warfare, expeditionary deployments, and peacekeeping leadership. Although it has not fought a major war independently, Canada’s forces are among the most experienced in Western alliance operations, with a combat record stretching from World War I to modern counterinsurgency.
World War I (1914–1918): Canadian troops earned a reputation for fierce combat effectiveness in major battles such as Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, and Amiens. The war forged Canada's independent military identity within the British Empire.
World War II (1939–1945): Canada declared war independently and deployed forces to Europe, the Atlantic, and the Pacific. Canadian divisions were instrumental in D-Day landings, the Italian Campaign, and anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic.
Korean War (1950–1953): Canada deployed over 26,000 troops as part of the UN mission, fighting in conventional trench warfare and mountainous terrain, including key battles like Hill 355 and Kapyong.
Cold War and NATO Commitments (1950s–1990s): Canada stationed permanent forces in West Germany, contributed to NATO air policing, and maintained readiness against Soviet aggression while operating under U.S. strategic coordination.
Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations (1960s–2000s): Canada led or supported missions in Cyprus, Bosnia, Rwanda, Haiti, and East Timor, becoming a global leader in peacekeeping under the UN flag.
Afghanistan War (2001–2014): Canada played a major combat role in Kandahar Province, conducting joint operations with NATO allies against the Taliban. The conflict marked Canada’s most sustained combat deployment since WWII, with significant casualties and operational lessons in COIN warfare.
Modern Coalition Operations (2015–Present): Canada continues to support missions in Iraq (anti-ISIS), Ukraine (training support), Mali (logistics and airlift), and the Baltic region as part of NATO reassurance initiatives.
Canada’s military history reflects a tradition of combat credibility, multinational cooperation, and expeditionary reliability. While rarely acting unilaterally, Canadian forces are among the most combat-experienced and coalition-integrated mid-tier militaries in the world.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~40.3 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~17.2 million (males and females aged 18–49)
Geographic Area: 9,984,670 km² (2nd largest in the world)
Land Boundaries: 8,893 km
Bordering Countries: United States
Coastline: 202,080 km (longest in the world)
Climate: Varies widely; arctic in the north, temperate in the south
Terrain: Vast plains, mountains in the west, lowlands in the east, arctic tundra in the north
Natural Resources: Petroleum, natural gas, coal, uranium, iron ore, nickel, copper, gold, timber, fresh water
Proven Oil Reserves: ~167 billion barrels (3rd largest globally)
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: ~2.1 trillion cubic meters
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$32.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~1.4%
GDP (PPP): ~$2.4 trillion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$57,600
External Debt: ~$2.4 trillion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Rising gradually; modernization programs underway for Arctic defense, NORAD renewal
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: None; fully professional volunteer force
Primary Defense Focus: Sovereignty protection (including Arctic), continental defense, global peacekeeping and alliance operations
Military Industry Base: Advanced; includes General Dynamics Land Systems, CAE, Colt Canada, and Magellan Aerospace
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Strong; CAF Cyber Force integrated under Canadian Forces Information Operations Group
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state); nuclear-capable via NATO operations but no active arsenal
Major Military Districts / Commands: Canadian Joint Operations Command oversees Army, Navy, Air Force, Special Ops, NORAD
Missile Inventory Highlights: AIM-120 AMRAAM, SM-2 (via Halifax-class), JASSM, NASAMS, Harpoon
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Ready Reserve and Primary Reserve force integrated for activation within 1–2 weeks
Reservist Force Size: ~30,000 trained reservists
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Operated by Canadian Space Agency; includes RADARSAT and Sapphire satellites
Military Satellite Inventory: Moderate; ISR, SATCOM, and early warning satellites with Five Eyes cooperation
Intelligence Infrastructure: Canadian Forces Intelligence Command (CFINTCOM), CSIS (civilian), CSE (signals and cyber)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: Five Eyes founding member; deep integration with U.S. (NORAD), UK, Australia, New Zealand
Airports (Total): ~1,800 (civilian and military)
Major Military Airports: CFB Trenton, CFB Cold Lake, CFB Bagotville, CFB Greenwood
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~175 Canadian-flagged vessels
Major Ports: Vancouver, Halifax, Montreal, Saint John
Naval Infrastructure: Atlantic and Pacific fleets; modernization underway for CSC (Canadian Surface Combatant) program
Naval Replenishment Capability: Growing; Protecteur-class Joint Support Ships entering service
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~49,400 km
Roadways: ~1.1 million km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: ~4.5 million barrels per day
Energy Imports: Net exporter of oil and gas
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: ~75 million barrels (government and commercial storage combined)
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: Specializes in armored vehicles, simulation, ISR, aerospace components, and shipbuilding
Military Installations (Domestic): Numerous airbases, naval stations, arctic defense posts, and joint NORAD radar sites
Military Installations (Overseas): Training and rotational deployments in Latvia, Iraq, Ukraine, NATO naval task groups
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: U.S. forces integrated under NORAD; joint operations in aerospace warning and control
Defense Alliances: NATO, NORAD (binational with U.S.), Five Eyes, CANZUK (informal)
Strategic Airlift Capability: Operates C-17 Globemaster III, C-130J, CC-177, CC-150 Polaris tankers
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: Strong; industrial mobilization under Defense Production Act provisions
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Advanced; DRDC (Defence Research and Development Canada) focuses on Arctic warfare, cyber, and C4ISR
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: CN and CP Rail, Suncor (energy), Bombardier (aerospace), Irving Shipbuilding, Air Canada (transport/logistics)
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Ottawa
Founding Date: July 1, 1867 (Confederation)
System of Government: Federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy
