The first of four of 50 new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) built by Canadian workers in London, Ontario, for donation to Ukraine are departing for Europe. (Photo: provided)
K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media
June 12, 2024 – London, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The first four of 50 new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) built by Canadian workers for donation to Ukraine are departing for Europe. Members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will be trained in their use this summer. The first 10 of these vehicles are the ACVS ambulance variant.
These state-of-the-art armoured vehicles will fulfil various roles on the battlefield – including transporting troops, providing secure locations for command and control, and enabling medical evacuations. These ACSVs, also used by the Canadian Army, provide high manoeuvrability and protection to their crews and payloads.
On June 12, Minister of National Defence Bill Blair thanked the workers who were building the vehicles and said Ukraine could depend on Canada.
“Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine is also an attack on the right of all nations to choose their own future. Ukraine must win this war – and Ukraine can count on Canada’s support until its victory. Canada is proud to be providing Ukraine with a new fleet of state-of-the-art armoured vehicles to protect its brave military personnel …”
The ambulance variant of ACVSs is equipped with medical equipment and an internal layout that will allow for the treatment of a wide range of injuries. These vehicles are headed to Ukraine by the fall and will enable the AFU to evacuate wounded personnel from combat zones safely.
On behalf of Defence Minister Bill Blair, Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, visited General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada on June 12 to see the initial tranche of departing vehicles and to thank the workers who built them. The vehicles are being transported from London, Ontario, for delivery to Europe.
These vehicles are part of a fleet of state-of-the-art armoured vehicles that Canada is donating to Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 22, 2023, that Canada is investing $650 million over three years to provide Ukraine with 50 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles built in London, Ontario.
Through the ACSV project, the Government of Canada is investing approximately $2 billion to deliver 360 vehicles to the Canadian Army. This project supports 1,975 jobs annually in London, Ontario, and across the country and contributes $250 million annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product over an eight-year period.
This donation is part of the over $14 billion in total assistance Canada has committed to Ukraine since February 2022, including $4 billion in military assistance. Canada has donated Leopard 2 battle tanks, anti-tank weapons, M777 howitzers, artillery ammunition, winter clothing, and more. Canada also contributes to multinational efforts to train pilots and maintainers in support of Ukraine’s incoming fleet of F-16 fighter jets. It participates in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Armour, Air Force, and Drone Capability Coalitions.
Canada will continue to work closely with its partners and allies to provide Ukraine with the military assistance it needs as it fights Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war.