Canada delivers more Coyote and Bison armored vehicles to Ukraine to boost reconnaissance operations.

On June 6, 2025, during the 28th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, Canadian Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty announced over $35 million in new military assistance to Ukraine. The package includes $30 million allocated for Bison and Coyote armored vehicles, accompanied by new equipment and ammunition supplied by Canadian companies. This contribution builds upon the earlier delivery of 64 Coyote armored vehicles, which were transferred to Ukraine in December 2024.
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The Canadian Armed Forces received 203 Coyote units in three primary variants: a mast-mounted surveillance variant, a remote sensor variant, and a basic reconnaissance and command post variant. (Picture source: Canadian MoD)

An additional $5 million is dedicated to the provision of electronic warfare anti-jammer kits from Canadian defence firms. These funds are drawn from allocations already identified in Budget 2024 as part of the Canada-Ukraine Strategic Security Partnership framework. The Bison armored personnel carrier and the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle are both based on the LAV II chassis and were developed by General Motors Diesel Division Canada.

The Bison has been in service since 1990 and was originally designed to equip Canada’s Primary Reserve Forces. However, it was reallocated to the Regular Forces shortly after production began. The Bison’s design features a raised roofline, a modular rail system for rapid reconfiguration, and compatibility with various mission-specific roles, including command posts, ambulances, mortar carriers, electronic warfare vehicles, recovery vehicles, and NBC reconnaissance. It uses a Detroit Diesel 6V53T engine generating 275 horsepower, has an 8x8 suspension system, and achieves speeds up to 100 kilometers per hour. The vehicle was upgraded between 2002 and 2008 to include improved torsion bars, air conditioning, provisions for add-on armour, and NBC protection systems. As of January 2025, 155 Bisons remain in Canadian service, in roles ranging from repair to electronic warfare.

The Coyote has been operational since 1996 and was procured in 1993 to replace the Lynx reconnaissance vehicle. The Canadian Armed Forces received 203 units in three primary variants: a mast-mounted surveillance variant, a remote sensor variant, and a basic reconnaissance and command post variant. The mast version includes a 10-meter telescoping mast with MSTAR radar, thermal and optical sensors, and a laser rangefinder. The remote variant features deployable tripod-mounted systems that can be placed up to 200 meters from the vehicle. Its detection capabilities allow identification of truck-sized targets up to 24 kilometers away, tank-sized targets up to 12 kilometers, and personnel up to 20 kilometers in favorable conditions. Armament includes a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, two 7.62mm C6 machine guns, and eight grenade launchers. The turret has a laser warning receiver and dual-feed for ammunition types. Mobility is provided by the same 275 hp engine as the Bison, offering a 660-kilometer range. The vehicle includes a tactical navigation system, a winch with 15-ton capacity, and additional fuel tanks replacing amphibious equipment. All Coyotes are now assigned to the Regular Force.

In addition to the Bison and Coyote vehicles, Canada’s military assistance to Ukraine since February 2022 includes over $4.5 billion in military equipment and training, and $19.5 billion in total aid. Donations have included 8 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, 91 LAV 6.0 armored Combat Support Vehicles, 25 LAV III infantry fighting vehicles, 29 M113 chassis, 39 ACSVs, and 208 Roshel Senator armored vehicles. Canada has delivered more than 80,000 CRV-7 rocket motors and 1,300 warheads, as well as 4 M777 howitzers with M982 Excalibur rounds, 40,000 155mm shells, 955 rounds of 155mm smoke, and additional stocks of 105mm tank ammunition, 84mm rounds for Carl Gustaf recoilless rifles, and 3,500 Grad rockets. Air defence contributions include 1 NASAMS battery and AIM-120 and AIM-9 missiles, along with drone and airfield support equipment for Ukraine’s F-16 program.

Canada is also responsible for advanced pilot training as part of the UDCG Air Force Capability Coalition. It has committed $389 million over five years for F-16 fighter jet training, provision of airfield equipment, simulators, and operational support for Ukrainian airbases. Additional funding includes $60 million for F-16 supplies and systems such as spare parts and avionics, $15 million to support Canadian firms operating in Ukraine’s defence sector, and $5 million for drone jamming systems announced in June 2025. Contributions to drone and IT coalitions have been supplemented by other NATO allies, with Canada allocating $5 million to the Drone Capability Coalition and $2 million to the IT Capability Coalition.

Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces have trained more than 44,500 Ukrainian personnel since 2015. Over 350 CAF members are currently deployed in various roles, including training, logistical coordination, and delivery of military equipment. Canada has supplied over 21,000 5.56mm rifles, 10,500 9mm pistols, 1,170 C6 and C9 machine guns, 700 C8 carbines, 78 sniper rifles, thermal equipment, CG634 helmets, body armour, and over 12.9 million rounds of ammunition. Additional aid includes food rations, winter gear, gas masks, sleeping bags, generators, and energy storage systems. Canada has also contributed $53 million toward the Czech-led artillery shell procurement initiative, and $30 million to support the maintenance of Leopard 2 tanks in Poland. This aligns with the updated Canadian defence policy "Our North, Strong and Free," which will result in $8.1 billion in spending over five years and $73 billion over twenty years, nearly tripling Canadian defence expenditures between 2014–2015 and 2029–2030.