Around 150 Canadian Army soldiers from the 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (5 CMBG), based at Valcartier, Quebec, have commenced training exercises with the French Army.

Scheduled until 25 March, the training will be carried out in three different exercises with the French Army.

As part of the exercise, about 50 soldiers from 5 CMBG are participating in a multinational command post exercise, code-named Citadelle Javelin, with Nato's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps.

A platoon from 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment will train with France's 35e Régiment d'infanterie during Exercise Castor Tricolore.

"Our countries face complex threats and our militaries must be ready to work jointly with the Allied forces."

Personnel from 12e Régiment Blindé du Canada will also train with the French Army's 4e Régiment de Chasseurs during the exercise.

5 CMBG commander colonel Michel-Henri St-Louis said: "Military exercises and exchanges with France ensure that we build and maintain know-how in joint operations and interoperability.

"Our countries face complex threats and our militaries must be ready to work jointly with the Allied forces."

The programme comprises joint training exercises, personnel exchanges, strategic policy discussions, and operational cooperation. It aims to enable the armies' infantry and armoured units, as well as its headquarters personnel, to share knowledge and skills.

According to the CAF, Canada and France are united by a shared commitment to Nato. The exercises will help the countries to 'strengthen that relationship in order to protect their common values and interests and promote international peace and security'.