Canada allocates new military aid package to Ukraine
Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced a new military aid package worth $39 million for Ukraine.
The press service of the Department of National Defense of Canada reports that the defense minister made the statement today at the eleventh meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. It is attended by over 50 countries, including NATO members and representatives of partner countries — Ukraine's supporters — to coordinate military capabilities that the international community can provide for Ukraine to defend against Russian aggression.
This package includes the following:
- A $34.6 million contribution to NATO's Ukraine Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) Trust Fund — an initiative that finances non-lethal military aid projects to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine — to support the supply of 3.3 million liters of fuel, modular floatation bridge to enable wet-gap crossing and medical first aid kits;
- Approximately $2.5 million for 40 .50 caliber sniper rifles and ammunition;
- Approximately $2 million worth of new radio sets (16 in total) to accompany the Leopard 2 tank donations.
"Approximately one year after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group first met here at Ramstein Air Base, our collective resolve to stand with Ukraine is stronger than ever," Minister Anita Anand said. "At today's meeting, we made important progress on addressing Ukraine's most pressing immediate and long-term defense priorities. The donations and support announced by Canada today will help ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity."
Minister Anand stressed that all eight Leopard 2 tanks pledged by Canada had been delivered to Poland. Canada has also deployed three Leopard gunnery skills trainers to train Ukrainian tank crews on the operation and tactics of the Leopard 2 tanks.
Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $1 billion in military assistance to Ukraine. This includes eight Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, one armored recovery vehicle, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armored combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, winter clothing, and more. Canada allocates new military aid package to Ukraine
