Canada Announces Additional Military Aid for Ukraine Including Artillery Ammunition.

Ottawa, Ontario, March 20, 2024 – In a crucial development at the 20th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting on March 19, 2024, hosted by United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Bill Blair, Canada's Minister of National Defence, announced a significant Canadian commitment. During the meeting, which saw participation from around 50 countries, Minister Blair disclosed Canada's plan to allocate over $40 million towards a Czech-led initiative for the procurement of large-caliber ammunition rounds destined for Ukraine.
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Gunners from 5e Light Artillery Regiment of Canada practice using an M777 lightweight 155-mm towed howitzer during Exercise PIÈCES AGUÉRRIES 2, in the training areas of CFB Valcariter in Quebec, Quebec, (Picture source Canada MoD)

During this pivotal meeting, Canadian Defence Minister Blair announced Canada's intention to allocate over $40 million towards an initiative led by Czechia for the procurement of large-caliber ammunition rounds destined for Ukraine. This funding is poised to facilitate the delivery of several thousand artillery rounds, marking a crucial step in the international effort to support Ukrainian defense mechanisms.

This commitment builds on the momentum of the recently signed Canada-Czechia Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement lays a robust foundation for defense cooperation between the two nations, particularly in supporting Ukraine's military needs.

Throughout these talks, Ukrainian representatives have emphasized their urgent need for additional artillery ammunition. "As we push forward to boost the production of 155 mm artillery rounds in collaboration with our partners in the Canadian industry, we remain dedicated to swiftly addressing Ukraine's critical demands. Canada's support for Czechia's endeavor to supply Ukraine with significant quantities of artillery munitions is a testament to our commitment to fulfilling one of Ukraine's key defense needs. Both now and in the future, Canada's support for Ukraine remains unwavering, said, Bill Blair, Canadian Minister of National Defence

Further bolstering Ukraine's night-time operational capabilities, Canada will donate a suite of night vision devices worth approximately $7.5 million, produced by the Canadian firm Twenty20 Insight Inc. This contribution is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces during nocturnal engagements.

In a related development, Minister Blair confirmed Canada's participation in the UDCG’s Drone Capability Coalition, a joint initiative led by Latvia and the United Kingdom. Canada's earlier commitment to this cause was underscored by its pledge to contribute more than 800 drones from Teledyne, with the initial batch expected to reach Ukraine by this spring. This coalition focuses on ramping up drone production to achieve the ambitious goal of delivering one million drones to Ukraine, showcasing a collective effort to modernize and strengthen Ukraine's military capabilities.

These announcements underscore Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine, highlighting a comprehensive approach to military aid that spans from ammunition support to advanced technological assistance. Canada's contributions reflect a deep commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and resilience, further cemented by the historic Agreement on Security Cooperation signed last month by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Through these initiatives, Canada continues to stand with Ukraine, demonstrating solidarity and support in its time of need.

Since the onset of the conflict in February 2022, Canada has pledged more than $13.3 billion in aid to Ukraine, encompassing $4 billion earmarked for military support. This assistance package includes M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armored combat support vehicles, along with hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, hundreds of drones, among other contributions.

To date, Canada has supplied Ukraine with around 40,000 rounds of 155 mm artillery ammunition, derived from the inventories of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as acquisitions made via the United States government.

Defense News March 2024