Canada launches new joint forces command to bolster multi-domain ops

December 16, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Canada has established the Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC), a new Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) command designed to strengthen leadership, coordination, and accountability for joint military capabilities across the CAF.

Canadian Navy file photo of tugboats at work at Canadian Forces Base Halifax, in Nova Scotia.

CJFC will bring together people, systems, and expertise from across the CAF to build and manage the joint capabilities needed to protect Canada. The new command reflects a shift toward integrated defense operations. It will enable the CAF to respond ‘effectively’ across all domains—land, sea, air, cyber, space and information environment, the officials noted.

Just as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force develop and manage their respective capabilities, the creation of CJFC will enable the same standard for joint capabilities across the CAF.

Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad and Chief Warrant Officer Donovan Crawford have been named as the inaugural CJFC command team.

“The establishment of the Canadian Joint Forces Command marks a significant step forward in modernizing our military. I’m incredibly proud of the dedication, professionalism, and vision our members have shown in bringing it to life. This new command will allow the Canadian Armed Forces to be better integrated, agile, and ready to meet the complex challenges of today and tomorrow,” David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defense, said.

“The establishment of the Canadian Joint Forces Command reflects our commitment to building a future-ready force as part of our ongoing transformation and modernization efforts. I am extremely proud of the teams whose hard work and expertise made this possible. The future is joint, and by consolidating leadership and integrating joint capabilities, we are enhancing our ability to deliver joint effects across all domains,” General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, commented.

Joint capabilities are military functions and resources that span multiple domains, such as land, sea, air, cyber, and space, and are used collectively by different branches of the armed forces. Examples include logistics, health services, joint doctrine and joint force development.

Multiple studies identified gaps in how CAF joint capabilities are generated, developed, managed, and sustained. CJFC addresses these gaps by centralizing leadership and accountability for joint capabilities, improving coherence and innovation, and supporting interoperability across domains and with allied and partner forces.

To remind, Canada recently joined the European Union’s (EU) €150 billion SAFE defense program. Under the agreement, Canada becomes a partner in SAFE’s joint procurement framework, enabling Canadian-made defense technologies and systems to be considered alongside European ones in major procurement projects. The move also aims to deepen industrial and strategic cooperation between Canada and the EU, and strengthen transatlantic defense supply chains.