Canadian military support to Ukraine

Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada will supply Ukraine with four Leopard 2 main battle tanks from the Canadian Armed Forces' (CAF) inventory. The Minister also announced that Canada will provide ammunition, spare parts, and will deploy Canadian Armed Forces members to train Ukrainian soldiers on the use of these tanks in a third country.

Minister Anand announced that Canada will donate 200 Senator Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to Ukraine, at a value of over $90 million. This new package of military assistance responds to a specific Ukrainian request for these vehicles, which are being purchased from Roshel, a Canadian company based in Mississauga, Ontario.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada is purchasing a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and associated munitions from the United States to donate to Ukraine. This high-priority donation is the first Canadian donation of an air defence system to Ukraine.

A NASAMS is a short to medium range ground-based air defence system that protects against drone, missile, and aircraft attack, with a high success rate. Canada's NASAMS donation will help Ukraine strengthen its air defence systems against destructive air attacks on military sites, civilian critical infrastructure, and population centres.

This donation, valued at approximately $406 million, comes from the additional $500 million in military aid to Ukraine that Prime Minister Trudeau announced on November 14, 2022

At a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), Defence Minister Anita Anand announced details of Canada's latest tranche of military support for Ukraine. Canada will provide approximately $34 million in additional military aid to Ukraine. This includes:

• approximately $5 million to continue providing critical satellite imagery to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU);
• more than $18 million for additional, high-resolution drone cameras; and,
• up to $10 million to provide additional winter gear to support the AFU, including portable heaters, thermal blankets and sleeping bags sourced from Canadian companies through the Canadian commercial Corporation.

Minister Anand also highlighted that Canada will extend its training mission in the United Kingdom under Operation UNIFIER until the end of 2023.

At the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that Canada will provide $500 million in additional military assistance for Ukraine, to assist the Armed Forces of Ukraine in defending their country against Russia’s brutal and unjustifiable invasion. This commitment builds on the $500 million in military aid for Ukraine announced in Budget 2022 and will go toward military, surveillance, and communications equipment, fuel, and medical supplies.

Approximately 40 Combat Engineers from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment based out of CFB Edmonton departed for Poland. These Canadian soldiers will be training Ukrainian sappers on basic and advanced engineering skills, engineering reconnaissance, and the use of explosives for demolition and demining, beginning in late November.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada will provide over $47 million in new military aid that will assist the Armed Forces of Ukraine as they fight for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

This new military aid package includes:

• $15.2 million in equipment from the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) inventory, including 155mm NATO-standard artillery rounds, fuses, and charge bags compatible with M777 howitzer artillery guns. Canada has previously provided M777 howitzer artillery guns to Ukraine and trained Ukrainian personnel in their use;
• additional specialized drone cameras with a value of $15.3 million;
• approximately $2 million to provide satellite communications services to Ukraine government and non-government partners, including critical infrastructure, through a joint project between the DND/CAF, Communications Security Establishment and Telesat; and
• 400,000 pieces of winter clothing for a total of $15 million. This critical winter equipment includes jackets, pants, boots, gloves, and parkas sourced from Canadian companies through the Canadian Commercial Corporation. An additional 100,000 pieces will come from CAF inventory.

In Warsaw, Poland, Minister Anand announced that in the coming weeks, Canada will deploy approximately 40 combat engineers to Poland under Operation UNIFIER to support a sapper training program for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) will provide training on a range of basic and advanced engineering skills, engineering reconnaissance, the use of explosives for demolition work, and demining.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced that the Royal Canadian Air Force is enhancing its air mobility operations based in Europe, increasing Canada’s ability to carry out support missions throughout Europe, including the delivery of Ukraine-bound military aid.

To increase capacity and operational flexibility, Canada is adding a third CC-130J Hercules aircraft and additional personnel to the detachment. To reflect this change, the Prestwick Tactical Airlift Detachment will now be known as an Air Mobility Detachment. This name change is consistent with the increased frequency of flights and use of CC-177 air mobility aircraft. Minister Anand also confirmed that the detachment has delivered over four million pounds of cargo – largely military aid to Ukraine.

The deployed CAF members began their first training serial of Ukrainian recruits in the United Kingdom as Operation UNIFIER resumes.

The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced Canada has authorized the deployment of CAF personnel to train new recruits from the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as they seek to increase the size of their ground forces in the face of Russia’s ongoing unprovoked, unjustifiable, and illegal invasion.

Under Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s military training and capacity building mission in Ukraine, the CAF will deploy up to 225 personnel to the United Kingdom, the majority of whom will work as trainers, supported by a command and control element, for an initial deployment of approximately four months.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada will donate six additional L3 Wescam drone cameras and was finalizing negotiations to provide up to 39 armoured combat support vehicles, including elements for repairs and servicing. The contract with General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada has been finalized and the vehicles have begun shipping to Europe.

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced that Canada will provide to Ukraine 10 replacement barrels to enable the sustainment of M777 howitzer artillery guns. This military aid is valued at approximately $9 million, and it complements Canada’s previous donation of M777 howitzers, over 20,000 rounds of compatible artillery ammunition, and the Canadian Armed Forces’ training of Ukrainian Forces in the use of this equipment.

Minister Anita Anand announced that Canada will donate over 20,000 artillery rounds of 155 mm NATO standard ammunition, including fuses and charge bags. This ammunition has been sourced from the United States at a cost of up to $98 million.

The Prime Minister announced that the additional $500 million for further military aid to Ukraine announced in Budget 2022 has begun to roll out with approximately $50 million commitment to provide high-resolution satellite imagery, an additional 18 drone cameras and ammunition.

The Minister of National Defence confirmed that the Canadian Armed Forces are training Ukrainian forces on the use of M777 howitzers.

Minister of National Defence announced that Canada has finalized contracts for eight commercial pattern armoured vehicles, and a service contract for the maintenance and repair of specialized drone cameras that Canada has already supplied to Ukraine

The Government of Canada announced that Canada has now delivered a number of M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, as well as additional Carl Gustaf anti-armour ammunition, to the Security Forces of Ukraine.

The Government of Canada announced the purchase of highly specialized equipment, including cameras for surveillance drones.

The Government of Canada announced the contribution of up to 4500 M72 rocket launchers, and up to 7500 hand grenades, as well as $1 million towards the purchase of commercial satellite high resolution and modern imagery.

The Government of Canada announced the donation of 390,000 Individual Meal Packs, and approximately 1600 fragmentation vests.

The Government of Canada announced the donation of at least 100 anti-armour weapons systems - Carl Gustav M2 recoilless rifles, and 2000 rounds of 84 mm ammunition.

The Government of Canada also announced the CAF will provide two C-130J tactical airlift aircraft, and a team of 40-50 personnel, to support military aid donations within Europe.

The Government of Canada announced a donation of defensive military aid, which could include: night vision gear, helmets, and body armour.

The Government of Canada announced the donation of defensive military equipment including machine guns, pistols, carbines, 1.5 million rounds of ammunition, sniper rifles, and various related equipment.

The Government of Canada announced the donation of personal protective and load carriage equipment, as well as surveillance and detection equipment.