On Friday, October 18, 2024, at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers’ meeting in Brussels, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, announced $64.8 million in military assistance to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s need for small arms remains ongoing and is a critical requirement on the battlefield. Today’s announcement commits $27.3 million to procure small arms and ammunition from Canadian industry—building upon more than $120 million in small arms and ammunition that Canada has donated.
The Minister further announced $20 million to manufacture Canadian-made personal protective equipment and military uniforms for women Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) soldiers, expanding Canada’s pilot project announced in October 2023. This contribution will outfit 30,000 women AFU soldiers with appropriately sized military gear.
Canada has also committed $5 million towards the Drone Capability Coalition Common Fund. Drones have become critical in this conflict and this Coalition has brought together Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) members working to find ways to support Ukraine’s drone industry and procure drones that are crucial to Ukraine’s defence efforts.
In addition, Minister Blair also announced the donation of:
Up to $10.5 million to support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) activities such as training for Ukrainian Forces; and
Up to $2 million to join the IT Capability Coalition and continue Canada’s role in working with Ukraine to strengthen its cyber capabilities.
Since the beginning of the conflict, Canada has worked closely with Ukraine and its partners to strengthen Ukraine’s cyber capabilities against Russia’s attacks. Our membership in the IT Coalition will enable us to enhance our ongoing support and leadership in this important space.
The donations announced today are part of an additional $500 million in military assistance to Ukraine, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the NATO Summit in July 2024, including $444 million to support the costs of military equipment, assistance, and training for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
Quick Facts
Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $19.5 billion in total assistance to Ukraine, including $4.5 billion in military assistance. This includes Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition.
Canada is allocating up to $389 million to enhance F-16 pilot training through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Air Force Capability Coalition. This commitment will support training for pilots in Ukraine’s Armed Forces as well as provide critical equipment to support Ukraine’s safe operation of F-16s.
Since the launch of Operation UNIFIER, the CAF has trained more than 42,000 members of the AFU. Canada has announced the extension of this mission until March 2026, so the CAF can continue to respond to Ukraine’s training needs.
Canada continues to train AFU members under Operation UNIFIER, with approximately 330 CAF members currently deployed in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia in various roles.
These donations are all priorities that Ukraine has stated and have been validated by the Ukraine Defence Contract Group (UDCG) and the International Donor Coordination Centre. They further demonstrate Canada’s strong commitment, along with its Allies, to ensuring Ukraine’s success in its fight against Russia’s unjustifiable war.
Canada is currently a member of the UDCG’s Armour, Air Force, Drone, and IT capability coalitions.
The UDCG was created by the United States Secretary of Defense in April 2022 to allow Allies and partners to synchronize donations, consult, and coordinate military assistance to Ukraine, and build up the capabilities of the AFU. The UDCG now comprises more than 50 countries.
Since late March 2022, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has been transporting Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, Allies, and partners. To date, the RCAF has transported over 22 million pounds of military donations.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
