Canada has announced a new round of military aid for Ukraine, including a donation of 3 million Canadian dollars for domestic drone production and 13 million for a Czech-led ammunition initiative. This marks the first time Canada has directly supported the production of military drones in Ukraine. The funding will also contribute to the purchase of 500,000 155 mm shells and 300,000 122 mm shells outside of Europe. This latest allocation of funds follows a previous commitment of 40 million Canadian dollars to the initiative, bringing Canada’s total contribution to 53 million. The funding for these donations comes from a larger military assistance package announced by Canada in June 2023.
Additionally, Canada will provide further support by delivering an additional 100 SkyRanger drones from Teledyne FLIR to Ukraine, bringing the total contribution to 900 instead of 800. In addition, 50 armored combat support vehicles will be sent to Europe this summer, with plans to deliver them to Ukraine in the fall after personnel training is completed. Ten multirole boats, committed in January, are also set to be delivered in July. Canada’s defense aid to Ukraine is part of a larger commitment of 1.6 billion Canadian dollars over the next five years, reaffirming Canada’s strong support for Ukraine in its fight for freedom and democracy.
Since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Canada has been one of Kyiv’s strongest supporters, providing over $10 billion in various forms of assistance. This includes around $2.8 billion in military aid, demonstrating Canada’s commitment to standing with Ukraine in its fight. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a military assistance package totaling 500 million Canadian dollars in June 2023, with Defense Minister Bill Blair providing updates on the various provisions being made for Ukraine. These include the delivery of drones, armored combat vehicles, and multirole boats to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The funding from Canada will help Ukraine in its fight for freedom, democracy, and the rules-based international order. The ongoing support from Canada reflects its dedication to standing with Ukraine for as long as necessary to secure victory. The two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group served as a reminder of the strong partnership between the two countries in the face of ongoing challenges. Canada’s commitment to assisting Ukraine with military aid underscores its solidarity and support for Ukraine’s defense efforts in the midst of conflict and instability.
The allocation of funds from Canada’s budget for 2024 to Ukraine’s defense aid over the next five years reaffirms its long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine’s security and stability. The financial assistance provided by Canada will not only help address Ukraine’s immediate needs but also contribute to its long-term defense capabilities. By investing in domestic drone production and supporting the purchase of ammunition, Canada is helping to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities and enhance its ability to defend itself against external threats. The partnership between Canada and Ukraine in the defense sector underscores the importance of international solidarity in upholding democracy, freedom, and the rule of law.
