Today, 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.

“Canada stands united with its Allies and partners in our unwavering support for Ukraine as it fights for its freedom and security. The military assistance announced today provides Ukraine with important resources needed to defend itself against Russian aggression. Canada will continue to do what it takes to help them achieve victory.”

- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

• 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.

Associated links

• Canadian military support to Ukraine
• Agreement on security cooperation between Canada and Ukraine
• Prime Minister strengthens defence and security partnerships at the NATO Summit
• Prime Minister of Canada’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine
• Operation UNIFIER

Simon Lafortune
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Phone: 343-549-0778
Email: Simon.Lafortune2@forces.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca