K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
Minister Blair announces additional military assistance for Ukraine at the 21st meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group
Canada is donating $3 million to the production of military drones by Ukraine’s domestic defence industry, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair announced at the 21st Ukraine Defense Contract Group (UDCG) meeting on April 26.
“Ukrainians have been relentless in their fight for freedom, democracy, and the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe. On the two-year anniversary of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Canada reaffirms that it will stand with Ukraine for as long as victory takes,” Blair said.
Marking the first time Canada is contributing directly to the production of of the equipment, the donation is in partnership with the United Kingdom. Representatives from more than 50 countries came together for the virtual meeting event hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.
Blair also confirmed Canada is providing an additional contribution of approximately $13 million to Czechia’s initiative to procure and deliver large-calibre ammunition for Ukraine. This contribution comes in addition to last month’s announcement of $40 million and brings Canada’s total contribution to the Czech initiative to more than $53 million.
The Defence Minister also provided updates on previously announced commitments, such as the delivery of the first 10 of 50 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles, which will occur shortly. Ukrainians will receive training on the vehicles in the summer before they move to Ukraine in the fall. These vehicles are built by Canadian workers at General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada in London, Ontario.
The 10 Multirole Boats from Zodiac Hurricane Technologies committed in January are set to be delivered in July, including the provision of commercially contracted training for Ukrainian operators, as well as trailers and spare parts.
These donations are funded by the $500 million military assistance package that Prime Minister Trudeau announced in Kyiv on June 12, 2023.
A press release from National Defence on April 26 reads that Canada has committed more than $4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine since February 2022. This includes Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more.
As announced earlier this year, Canada has also contributed to multinational efforts to train pilots and maintain and support Ukraine’s F-16 fighter capability since February 2024.
Canada is providing civilian instructors, planes, and support staff contracted from Montreal-based Top Aces Inc. to support pilot and maintenance personnel training for Ukraine’s incoming F-16 fleet under the auspices of the Air Force Capability Coalition.
In addition, the country is providing language training to 14 Ukrainian Air Force members at the Canadian Forces language school in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
“Canada’s military assistance to Ukraine demonstrates our ongoing commitment to providing Ukrainians with the military aid that they need in their fight against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war. As indicated in the Agreement on security cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, Canada will continue to support Ukraine for the long-term,” the National Defence media statement reads.
Since the launch of Operation UNIFIER, Canada has continued to train more than 300 CAF members in various roles, such as the provision and coordination of training, national command support, and the facilitation and delivery of military donations to Ukraine in coordination with Allies. Canada has trained more than 40,000 members of the AUF in total with the extension of this mission until March 2026 so that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) can continue to respond to Ukraine’s urgent training needs.