A military assistance deal worth $370 million in Canadian dollars (C$370,000,000) will include 800 SkyRanger R70 drones sent by Canada to Ukraine beginning this spring. Drones play an essential role in delivering supplies, including ammunition, as well as in collecting information and conducting surveillance. The government’s $500 million military assistance package, unveiled in June, is where the estimated $95 million cost of the drones is from. By spring, Ukraine should have received the drones.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has recently called on Western partners to increase military aid to his nation, particularly in the form of long-range weaponry, and this declaration is in response to his call. Some have called the U.S. assistance delay the biggest threat to Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. Both the United States and Canada have agreed to acquire NASAMS for Ukraine, but the deal will not go through until Congress approves the military assistance.
In addition to promising $2.4 billion ($1.8 billion) in military aid over the preceding two years, Canada has already sent 100 high-resolution drone cameras to Ukraine. Over ninety-five million Canadian dollars ($70.44 million) is the estimated worth of the drones, which were purchased from Teledyne in Waterloo, Ontario. During his visit to Kyiv last year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed C$500 million in military support, which was used to cover the gift.
With a total of more than C$9.7 billion in aid, including more than C$2.4 billion in military support, pledged to Ukraine since February 2022, Canada is prepared to remain at Ukraine’s side indefinitely. During a February meeting with NATO allies in Belgium on the 14th, Canada said it would provide Ukraine with a donation of more than C$60 million.
To sum up, Canada is providing Ukraine with more than 800 SkyRanger R70 drones to aid in its conflict with Russia. These drones are an integral aspect of the C$370 million military assistance package that Canada has already declared. They are vital for surveillance, information collection, and supply transportation.