Ministry of Defence and National Security
Government of the Republic of Newfoundland
Ministry of Defence and National Security
Safeguarding sovereignty, protecting our people, and contributing to North Atlantic security and resilience.
Mandate
The Ministry of Defence and National Security is responsible for safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of Newfoundland. Our mandate encompasses national defence, maritime security, civil defence, and emergency response coordination. We work to protect our people, defend our interests, and contribute to regional stability in the North Atlantic.
As a small island nation, our defence strategy focuses on maritime domain awareness, coast guard operations, search and rescue capabilities, and strategic partnerships with allied nations. We maintain a professional defence force capable of protecting our territorial waters, exclusive economic zone, and critical infrastructure while supporting civil authorities during emergencies.
Strategic Priorities
- Maintaining sovereignty over territorial waters and the exclusive economic zone
- Enhancing maritime surveillance and patrol capabilities
- Strengthening search and rescue operations across our maritime domain
- Protecting critical infrastructure and cyber defences
- Building strategic defence partnerships with allied nations
- Supporting civil authorities during emergencies and disasters
- Developing intelligence and threat assessment capabilities
- Ensuring operational readiness of the Newfoundland Defence Force
Programs & Services
Defence Operations
- Maritime patrol and surveillance operations
- Coast Guard services and maritime law enforcement
- Air defence and airspace monitoring
- Military training and readiness programs
National Security
- Intelligence gathering and threat assessment
- Cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection
- Counter-terrorism coordination
- Border security operations
Emergency Response
- Search and rescue coordination
- Disaster response and civil defence
- Emergency preparedness planning
- Support to civil authorities
Key Departments
Newfoundland Armed Forces
Newfoundland Coast Guard
National Security Bureau
Civil Defence Coordination
Contact
Ministry of Defence and National Security
Defence Headquarters
St. John’s, Newfoundland
General Inquiries:
Phone: (709) 555-0366
Email: defence@gov.nf.ca
Emergency Response Coordination:
24/7 Hotline: 1-800-563-9999