Joshua Streeter, who works with weapons on board HMCS Montreal, stands near the ship’s CH-148 Cyclone helicopter during Exercise Talisman Sabre on July 27, 2023. (Photo: Canadian Armed Forces)
Canada will send around 600 military personnel to Australia for Exercise Talisman Sabre. This is the country’s largest commitment ever to the international training event. The military exercise begins on July 13 and will last for three weeks. It includes operations on land, sea, and air.
What Canada Is Sending
The Canadian Armed Forces will send:
- One Halifax-class frigate
- A Cyclone helicopter
- Two Hercules cargo planes
- One Globemaster aircraft
- A Challenger jet with a medical evacuation team
This large team comes from all branches of the military, including the recently formed Cyber Command unit.
Why It Matters
Capt. Wyatt Shorter from Canadian Joint Operations Command says this shows Canada’s strong support for its Indo-Pacific Strategy. It also strengthens the military bond between Canada and Australia. “There will be members from each of Canada’s service environments,” Shorter said. For safety reasons, the exact breakdown of personnel won’t be shared.
Canada has joined this exercise before. In 2021, the event drew suspected Chinese spy ships near Australia’s coast. This year’s drill builds on past experience and growing partnerships.
Canada’s Ship Journey
The ship taking part is the HMCS Ville de Québec. It left Halifax in April with about 240 sailors and aircrew. The ship first trained with a UK-led group near Europe. Then it moved into the Pacific region.
Last year, defence ministers from Canada and Australia met in Vancouver. They agreed to work more closely together and raised concerns about China's actions in the South China Sea. A joint statement said Australia welcomes Canada’s growing role in the Indo-Pacific.
In a rare move last year, a Canadian warship stopped at an Australian port to reload with missiles. It was the first time Canada rearmed one of its Halifax-class ships overseas. Australia also helped rearm an American ship during the same time. That operation was the first of its kind on Australia’s northern coast.
A Chance to Train with Global Partners
This year’s Exercise Talisman Sabre includes more than a dozen partner nations. It is run by Australia and the U.S. and helps improve teamwork among allies. The Canadian Armed Forces will work closely with these partners to sharpen their skills and increase readiness.
“This is about teamwork and showing what we can do together,” Capt. Shorter said. “It also helps keep the Indo-Pacific region peaceful and stable.”
The training event runs until August 4.
