Canada will help fund Ukraine's defense production

Drones have served as a vital asset for Ukraine in its efforts to safeguard its borders against Russia. Now, Kyiv is set to receive a significant production boost with support from one of its crucial allies. Canada has announced plans to provide financial assistance for the production of drones in Ukraine.

On April 26th, the Government of Canada announced it would be donating $3 million to “Ukraine for the production of drones by Ukraine’s domestic defense industry” according to a government news release from Ottawa following a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

“This marks the first time that Canada is contributing directly to the production of military drones in Ukraine,” the news release continued, adding the donation would be made in “collaboration with the United Kingdom.”

While the news Canada is planning to contribute directly to Ukraine's drone production may seem unimportant, the announcement marks an interesting shift in Ottawa’s help of the embattled Ukrainians. 

“It marks the first time Canada, which has already committed to sending hundreds of drones to the warfront, is contributing directly to the Ukrainian defence industry,” Global News reporter Sean Boyton explained. 

Ottawa previously promised to donate roughly 800 SkyRanger surveillance drones, and that figure will now increase by another 100 drones according to Boyton. But these weapons aren’t the only thing Canada is planning to send to Ukraine.

Previous reports from Ukraine's Ministry of Defense in April 2024 suggested that the first 450 SkyRanger drones from Canada would be delivered sometime in the summer of 2024. 

Canada’s Minister of National Defence also confirmed that Ottawa planned to ship in an additional $13 million dollars toward Czechia’s initiative to supply Kyiv with large-caliber ammunition, which added to Ottawa’s previous 40 million dollar commitment. 

Minister Blair provided a number of updates on weapons system deliveries that Canada had previously promised to Kyiv and noted 10 of 50 armored combat support vehicles that Ottawa promised Ukraine would arrive in the summer of 2024. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By АрміяInform, CC BY 4.0

“Ukrainians will be trained on the vehicles in the summer, and the vehicles will move to Ukraine in the fall. These vehicles are built by Canadian workers at General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada in London, Ontario,” the government press release noted. 

Ten Multirole Boats from Zodiac Hurricane Technologies that were promised to Ukraine in January will be delivered in July. Ukrainian operators of the vessels will be trained by commercial contractors and the ship's trailers and spare parts will also be delivered. 

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By Arnaud Lambert, Own Work, CC BY-SA 3.0

Minister Blair also provided an update on Canada’s contributions to the supply of F-16 fighter jets for Ukraine and reported that Canada has been providing training for pilots since February 2024. 

Civilian instructors and support staff from Montreal-based Top Aces Inc. were contracted to support pilot and maintenance personnel training for Ukraine's F-16 fleet, according to the government's press release. 

Language training is also being provided to fourteen Ukrainian Air Force members at the Canadian Forces language school in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.  

Photo Credit: Wiki Commons By SilkCameron, Own Work, CC BY-SA 4.0

“Ukrainians have been relentless in their fight for freedom, democracy, and the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe,” Canada’s National Minister explained.

“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,” Minister Blair added. 

According to the Government of Canada, Ottawa has provided Ukraine with $4 billion in military assistance since Russia invaded in February 2022 and current funding will allow Ottawa to provide assistance to Kyiv until 2029. 

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