(Ottawa) National Defense Minister Bill Blair announced at a NATO summit in Brussels that Canada would make a new contribution of $60 million to support the establishment of a durable F-16 combat aircraft in Ukraine.
The money will help send equipment considered vital to the F-16, such as spare parts, weapons stations and ammunition.
Canada’s contribution is part of $500 million in new funding for military assistance to Ukraine announced last year by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Canada and its European allies had increased their defense spending by 11% to reach record levels.
Mr. Stoltenberg added that former US President Donald Trump, who is again seeking the Republican nomination in the presidential elections next fall, is undermining security by questioning the United States’ commitment towards their allies.
Minister Bill Blair is staying in Europe until Sunday. This Wednesday, he participates in the 19e Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, hosted by the United States at NATO Headquarters. On Thursday, he will attend a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
Finally, from February 16 to 18, Minister Blair will take part in the Munich Security Conference in Germany.