Canada allocates funds for the purchase of spare parts, weapons stations, avionics and ammunition for the F-16 fighter jets that will soon be in Ukraine.
Canada is sponsoring Ukraine's future F-16 fleet
Canada announced the allocation of about 46 million US dollars to Ukraine to support the future F-16 aircraft fleet.
Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair announced this during a meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine.
Canada will contribute $46 million to the Defence Contact Group of Ukraine's Air Force Capacity Building Coalition.
Bill Blair
Minister of Defence of Canada
It is noted that these funds will be used to service the future Ukrainian air fleet of F-16 aircraft. In particular, they will be aimed at purchasing spare parts, weapons stations, avionics and ammunition.
The Ministry of Defence was reminded that Canada announced it would send civilian instructors and planes to train Ukrainian pilots last month.
What is known about the new package of military aid from Canada
According to Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair, Ukraine will receive a batch of Zodiac Hurricane Technologies boats worth about CAD 20 million.
These multi-engine, rigid-hull inflatable boats will assist Ukraine in maritime operations, including search and rescue, troop and cargo transport, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Each boat will be equipped with a complex system of sensors, navigation and communication. This donation includes the provision of training for Ukrainian operators under commercial contracts, as well as the provision of trailers and spare parts, the Canadian Ministry of Defence chief said in a statement.
Delivery of these training boats is expected to be completed by late spring 2024.
In addition, Bill Blair announced Canada's participation in the armoured and air force coalition within the framework of the contact group on assistance to Ukraine in the Rammstein format.
The head of the Canadian Defence Ministry added that more consignments were sent to the Ukrainian military as part of the aid package already announced earlier, including small arms, ammunition of NATO standards, winter clothing and equipment.
Blair emphasised that more aid units should arrive in Ukraine soon.
For nearly two years, Canada has maintained close contact with allies and partners through meetings of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group to better understand and help address Ukraine's immediate and long-term defense priorities. We continue to strengthen our cooperation and coordination in order to provide Ukraine with the military assistance it needs to protect its sovereignty and security, — noted the Canadian Ministry of Defence chief.
