On the second and final day of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in Madrid, the Canadian government again pledged aid to Ukraine as it battles an attempted invasion of Russia. Canada will thus send drone cameras as well as armored combat support vehicles, which were intended for the Canadian army, which has decided to give them up to help the Ukrainians more quickly.
Ukraine struggles to move its troops on the ground and demanded these armored vehicles. Ottawa will send up to 39, starting this summer, from the Ontario manufacturer General Dynamics. These vehicles are part of an order for 360 light armored vehicles to renew the Canadian army fleet. It is not about offensive material provided with a cannon for example, although it is possible to fix a machine gun there. The floor of the vehicles is especially reinforced, thus protecting the passengers who would drive on a mine.
This would be the first delivery of new equipment from an allied country to Ukraine, according to a government source, which also provides for the parts that will be needed for repairs and maintenance. Canada had shipped eight more light defensive armor this spring, from Ontario manufacturer Roshel.
Six additional drone cameras will also be delivered, contributing to reconnaissance and surveillance efforts. Canada had already shipped some to Ukraine as well.
The final bill has not been confirmed, but is expected to be over $300 million — the balance of the $500 million budgeted last spring to support Ukraine.
A center for climate change in Montreal
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also announced that the city of Montreal will host the NATO Center of Excellence for Climate Change and Security — the Atlantic Alliance’s first center of excellence on Canadian territory. There, Allied nations will prepare for the challenges posed by extreme weather events caused by global warming and will aim to reduce the impact of their military operations on the environment.
Canada will also host the North American Regional Office of NATO’s Defense Innovation Accelerator North Atlantic (DIANA). DIANA will consist of a network of innovation centers as well as technology accelerators and test centers spread across Europe and North America. The site has not yet been chosen.
Both centers will be funded from NATO common budgets.
More details will follow.
This report was funded with support from the Transat-Le Devoir International Journalism Fund.