The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, recently announced the deployment of a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora Air Detachment under Operation (Op) NEON, to Japan. The CP-140 Aurora will monitor for suspected maritime sanctions evasion activities for a period of approximately six weeks. In particular, the detachment will be watching for ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and other commodities banned by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
“The Indo-Pacific Region is crucial to global security – and through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, we will continue to strengthen our partnerships with our friends in the region. Together, we are promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, and protecting the international rules that keep us all safe. I thank Japan, one of Canada’s most important defence partners in the Indo-Pacific region, for this strong relationship based on shared values, economic links, and people-to-people ties,” explained the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence.
Op NEON is the Canadian Armed Forces contribution to the multinational effort to support the implementation of UNSC sanctions imposed against North Korea. This deployment is a part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and serves to further reinforce Canada’s unwavering commitment to promoting peace and strengthening stability in the region.
“Working closely with our partners in the Indo-Pacific has never been more important than it is today, and the Canadian Armed Forces have a central role to play in delivering valuable, tangible, high-impact initiatives in the region. The deployment of this Royal Canadian Air Force Air Detachment to the Indo-Pacific will deliver robust capabilities in working with our partners to strengthen international cooperation and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, Commander RCAF.
Canada places significant value on the security of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region and this mission serves to underscore that commitment by working to uphold UNSC sanctions on North Korea. Canada belongs to a rules-based international order that promotes regional peace, resilience, and security and Canada will continue to be dedicated to these goals.
Additionally, HMCS Montréal, with its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, is en route to the Indo-Pacific region. HMCS Montréal will provide additional support Op NEON and will also be contribute to Op PROJECTION. This is Canada’s ongoing naval forward presence operation in the Indo-Pacific.