Canadian Joint Forces Command
| Canadian Joint Forces Command | |
|---|---|
| Commandement de forces interarmées du Canada | |
| Active | November 25, 2025 |
| Country |  Canada |
| Branch | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Type | Unified combatant command |
| Role | Joint operations |
| Size | 10,000 |
| Part of | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Ottawa |
| Nickname | CJFC |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad, CD |
The Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC; French: Commandement de forces interarmées du Canada or CFIC[1]) is a command of the Canadian Armed Forces, established on November 25, 2025. The CJFC is mandated to improve and manage leadership and coordination for joint military capabilities. It will also be in charge of overseeing Drone warfare and integrated air/missile defence.
The command is based at NDHQ Carling.
History
[edit]On November 25, 2025, the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) announced the formation of the CJFC.[2] Lieutenant-General Darcy Molstad was appointed as the first commander of the CJFC alongside Chief Warrant Officer Donovan Crawford.[3] The formation of the command was based on lessons from the war in Ukraine. These include the use of dual-use technologies and communication systems with the use of "uncrewed systems and autonomy and counter-uncrewed systems".[a][5] It was also due to concerns from the war the need for a joint command was seriously considered for commanding units that are not under the army, navy, air force or special forces.[6]
In an interview with CTV News's Your Morning on December 8, 2025, Lt. Gen. Molstad stated that while combat operations have an "army, navy, air force component to them... it’s the joint capabilities that are actually making the big difference".[7]
On December 4, 2025, the Ottawa Citizen reported that the command will be based at NDHQ Carling.[8] It also reported that the organizations under CJFC will stay in their current locations instead of moving to Carling.[8]
Organization
[edit]According to Lt. Gen. Molstad, CJFC's size is around 10,000 personnel.[8]
The CJFC commands the following:[3]
- Chief of Combat Systems Integration
- Canadian Joint Warfare Centre
- Canadian Forces Health Services Group
- Joint Information and Intelligence Fusion Centre
- Canadian Forces Military Police[b]
The following functions are under the CJFC for some units in the CAF for accountability purposes:[8]
- Royal Canadian Air Force - Integrated air/missile defence
- Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) Infrastructure & Environment - Joint Engineering
- Digital Services Group - Joint Communications & Information Systems
Notes
[edit]- ^ Uncrewed systems refer to drones in drone warfare.[4]
- ^ The unit will maintain operational independence according to guidelines in the National Defence Act, but the CJFC will provide support.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Commandement de forces interarmées du Canada (CFIC)" (in French). DND Canada. 2025-12-10.
- ^ "CDS/DM Message: Establishment of Canadian Joint Forces Command (CJFC)". DND Canada. 2025-12-04.
- ^ a b "Canadian Joint Forces Command". DND Canada. 2025-12-04.
- ^ "MINERVA Initiative". DND Canada. 2025-12-02.
- ^ Murray Brewster (2025-12-04). "Learning lessons of Ukraine war, Canadian military creates joint command". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2025-12-12. Retrieved 2025-12-12.
- ^ Vladyslav Khomenko (2025-12-08). "Canada Establishes Joint Forces Command: What Will it be Responsible for?". Militarnyi.
- ^ Dorcas Marfo (2025-12-08). "Canada launches new joint forces command to strengthen modern military capabilities". CTV News. Archived from the original on 2025-12-25.
- ^ a b c d e David Pugliese (2025-12-04). "New Canadian Forces command created to better co-ordinate joint capabilities". Ottawa Citizen. Archived from the original on 2025-12-05.