Canada supports Ukrainian troops with training on new ACSV 8x8 armored ambulances.

On September 20, 2024, Operation UNIFIER released pictures showing Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel training on a Canadian LAV 6.0 ACSV 8x8 armored ambulance. Operation UNIFIER, a Canadian Armed Forces initiative, focuses on military training, professionalization, and capacity-building for Ukraine. This mission, launched in 2015 at Ukraine's request following the annexation of Crimea, was expanded in early 2022 as tensions with Russia increased.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

As part of Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces have trained over 40,000 Ukrainian personnel, including more than 7,000 trained in Europe since the full-scale invasion by Russia began in 2022. (Picture source: Operation UNIFIER)

As part of this initiative, which has a current mandate from the Canadian government to continue until 2026, the Canadian Armed Forces have trained over 40,000 Ukrainian personnel, including more than 7,000 trained in Europe since the full-scale invasion by Russia began in 2022. The training covers skills such as battlefield tactics, tactical medical training, combat engineering, and leadership development.

The Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ASCVs), developed by General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada, are based on the LAV 6.0 chassis and support various battlefield roles, including troop transport, command and control, and medical evacuation. In 2022, Canada began delivering 39 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs), referred to as "Super Bison," to Ukraine as part of its response to the Russian invasion. Since deployment to Ukraine in early 2023, the ACSV "Super Bison," a name recalling the earlier LAV 2 Bison model which served a similar role, has been used for roles including personnel transport, medical evacuation, and equipment repair.

Powered by a Caterpillar C9 turbocharged diesel engine producing 450 horsepower, the ACSV has an operational weight between 20,638 and 28,576 kilograms, depending on its armor configuration. The vehicle is equipped with a Remote Weapons Station (RWS), typically armed with a C6 7.62 mm machine gun, though it can also support heavier weaponry if required. Its top road speed is 100 km/h, with a range of 600 km on roads and 450 km in cross-country conditions.

Since deployment to Ukraine in early 2023, the ACSV "Super Bison," a name recalling the earlier LAV 2 Bison model which served a similar role, has been used for roles including personnel transport, medical evacuation, and equipment repair. (Picture source: Canadian MoD)

In June 2024, Canada began delivering the first units of a new shipment of LAV 6.0 ACSVs to Europe, where Ukrainian personnel will receive training on their operation, following a statement from Canadian Minister of National Defence Bill Blair during the 21st Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting.

This initial batch includes ten ACSV vehicles, including ambulance variants, and is part of a broader package of 50 units being shipped from London, Ontario, to Europe. During Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's visit to Canada in September 2023, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a CAD 650 million (USD 474.5 million) investment over three years to deliver these vehicles as part of Canada’s support for Ukraine.

This delivery is part of Canada’s CAD 14 billion (USD 10.22 billion) assistance package to Ukraine, allocated since early 2022, with CAD 4 billion (USD 2.92 billion) designated specifically for military aid. Previous Canadian aid included Leopard 2 battle tanks, anti-tank weapons, M777 howitzers, artillery ammunition, and winter clothing.

Powered by a Caterpillar C9 turbocharged diesel engine producing 450 horsepower, the ACSV has an operational weight between 20,638 and 28,576 kilograms, depending on its armor configuration. (Picture source: Canadian MoD)

More recently, Canada took on leadership of the fighter-lead-in-training (FLIT) component under the UDCG’s Air Force Capability Coalition, with a CAD 389 million (USD 283.97 million) investment aimed at advanced pilot training for Ukrainian personnel, including training on F-16 fighter jets. As part of this effort, Canadian facilities will support Ukrainian pilots, and Canada will provide infrastructure for Ukrainian air bases to strengthen air defense capabilities.

Operation UNIFIER’s contributions are part of Canada’s involvement in the UDCG, a coalition established by the United States in 2022 to coordinate military aid for Ukraine among more than 50 countries. Canada participates in the UDCG’s armored, air force, and drone capabilities, among others. In addition to the ACSVs, Canada has pledged additional military support in September 2024, including decommissioned M113 armored personnel carriers and Coyote light armored vehicles.

The Coyote, primarily used for reconnaissance, is equipped with a 25mm Bushmaster chain gun and sensors for intelligence-gathering in various operational environments. Canada’s recent military assistance package also includes 80,840 CRV-7 rocket motors, 1,300 warheads, 970 surplus C6 machine guns, and 10,500 9mm pistols.