Summer Activity in the Arctic

By Moderator, 16 August 2026

In a news release 14 August, the Department of National Defence announced the launch of Operation Nanook-Tuugaalik 2026, a part of the annual Operation Nanook. The operation will continue until October. HMCS Robert Hampton Gray will be joined by the Canadian Coast Guard, and other Canadian government departments as well as naval forces from France and Denmark. USS Wichita, a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, departed Naval Station Mayport on 7 August to participate. The ships will transit through waters of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago conducting activities including patrols, surveillance, community engagement and refuelling.

Meanwhile, on the Pacific coast of the North American Arctic, Canadian and US ships and aircraft are keeping an eye on two Chinese research ships in the waters off Alaska. Both Canada and the United States have been shadowing two Chinese icebreaking research ships over the last couple of weeks. Xue Long (Snow Dragon) and Xue Long (Snow Dragon) 2 sailed north through the US exclusive economic zone in the Bering Sea in July. The ships are outside Canada’s EEZ.

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Current Issue: Vol. 22 No. 1 (2026)

Our first article explores China’s rise as a shipbuilding powerhouse. The second marks the 35^th anniversary of the Gulf War by discussing Canada’s role. The third argues that RCN veterans are strategic assets who should be treated and trained accordingly. The final essay reviews defence capabilities now being ordered or built, especially for the Arctic, despite the lack of a new defence policy.

We also include our usual Making Waves commentaries. Prompted by Broadsides discussion, one asks whether geography defines Canada’s defence options beside the United States. Others examine naval art, Arctic naval capabilities, and how the RCN can become more visible to Canadians.

Our regular columns also return: “A View from the West” considers whether China can or intends to invade Taiwan in 2027; “Dollars and Sense” examines the Defence Industrial Strategy; and “Warship Developments” covers recent naval updates.

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