McGuinty Pushes Canada's Defense Goals in Europe
The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, concluded a visit to Europe. During the trip, he participated in the NATO Defence Ministers' Meeting, the 33rd Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, and the 62nd Munich Security Conference.
On February 12, 2026, at the Defence Ministers' Meeting in Brussels, Belgium, Minister McGuinty highlighted Canada's ongoing commitment to strengthening NATO's deterrence and defence posture through a persistent military presence in Europe. He emphasized the importance of addressing current and emerging security challenges and their implications for transatlantic security. The Minister also reiterated Canada's commitment to meeting the 2% defence spending target this fiscal year and investing 5% of gross domestic product in defence by 2035.
Minister McGuinty also met with key Allies to discuss shared defence priorities and signed cooperative arrangements alongside his counterparts, which included:
During the meeting, the Minister announced that Canada is joining the Initial Alliance Future Surveillance Control Support Partnership Committee, enabling Canada to help shape decisions that advance Canadian industry and strengthen collaboration with NATO and European partners. Additionally, the Minister and NATO Allies signed a Letter of Intent on multinational approaches to military airworthiness to strengthen airpower resilience, readiness, and interoperability.
On the margins of the Defence Ministers' Meeting, Minister McGuinty hosted a Northern Defence Dialogue with Arctic Allies, including Finland, Iceland, and the Kingdom of Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden and the United States. At the dialogue, Arctic Allies reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhanced collaboration on Arctic and Euro-Atlantic security and defence, including through NATO's increased posture in the region.
At the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Minister McGuinty reaffirmed Canada's support to Ukraine and updated Allies on recent military assistance, including:
From February 13 to 15, 2026, Minister McGuinty participated in the Munich Security Conference, where he met with his European counterparts to discuss international security challenges and transatlantic defence cooperation. During the conference, Minister McGuinty held bilateral meetings with counterparts from Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, Japan, Singapore, Finland, Germany, Norway and the European Union. He also met with defence industry leaders.
Canada has now officially joined the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative, with the Minister's signature of the Canada-EU SAFE Agreement. With the conclusion of a SAFE agreement, Canada has made important progress on closer defence cooperation with the EU. He reiterated that through this agreement, Canada continues to reinforce collective security, strengthen cooperation with Allies and partners, and support the development of key defence capabilities that enhance international security.
By joining SAFE, Canada is not only contributing to European and Ukrainian security but is also creating new export opportunities for Canadian defence companies in one of the world's largest markets. Canadian industry is now able to participate in the fulfilment of SAFE contracts with up to 80% Canadian content- an opportunity for our defence sector, and an opportunity to integrate Canadian components more deeply into European supply chains.
During a bilateral meeting with the Defence Minister of Denmark and Foreign Ministers for the Faroe Islands and Greenland, the ministers signed a Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, which will enable enhanced cooperation in defence and security activities, particularly in the Arctic and the North Atlantic, as well as defence innovation, defence materiel and industrial cooperation, mutual logistics support, and training.
These engagements position Canada to continue strengthening collective defence, enhancing Arctic and North Atlantic security, and delivering tangible contributions alongside Allies and partners.
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2026/02/minister-mcguinty-advances-canadas-defence-priorities-with-allies-and-partners-in-europe.html
View Original | AusPol.co Disclaimer