Canada donates more than $40M in gear to Ukraine
Defence Minister Bill Blair announced March 19 that Canada will contribute $40 million to Czechia’s initiative to purchase large-calibre ammunition rounds for Ukraine. This will enable the delivery of several thousand rounds of artillery ammunition to Ukraine, according to Canada’s Department of National Defence.
In February, Canada and Czechia (also known as the Czech Republic) signed a Defence Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding, which establishes a framework for defence cooperation between Canada and Czechia, including in the area of support for Ukraine.
Night vision equipment included in donation
Blair also announced that Canada will be donating a package of night vision devices to assist Ukrainian Armed Forces with nighttime operations. This donation, worth approximately $7.5 million, will be sourced from Canadian company Twenty20 Insight Inc.
Since February 2022, Canada has committed more than $13.3 billion in funding to support Ukraine. This includes $4 billion in military assistance, such as M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition, hundreds of drones, and other equipment.
PHOTO: The Leopard tank is one of the types of equipment already provided to Ukraine. In this image, Canadian Armed Forces members participate in the Combat Team Commander Course at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Wainwright training area
CREDIT: Corporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos, Canadian Armed Forces photo