Update on Canadian military assistance to Ukraine | War in Ukraine

It is indicated by Keel Institute for the Global EconomyA German-based think tank updates the level of financial aid various countries have provided to Ukraine since the start of the conflict, including military aid.

In this regard, Canada ranks 7th with a contribution of 1.5 billion Euros or 2 billion Canadian dollars.

This figure contrasts with a less accurate figure provided by the Department of National Defense (TNT) reports on its website that aid will “surpass $1 billion” by February 2022.

This is where Canada’s military aid dollars have been used so farNATO In Vilnius, Lithuania, Canada pledged to double its financial contribution to its work in Latvia.

Surface to Air Missile System

Last January, Canada announced plans to buy a surface-to-air missile system Nasams (National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) and ammunition from the United States to Ukraine. This system, in The value is 406 million dollarsIt is the largest share of Canadian military aid to date.

This surface-to-air missile battery system is entirely new and is not currently in the Canadian military arsenal. The United States is still working to provide the system to Ukraine on Canada’s behalf.

In the face of brutal airstrikes in Ukraine, this air defense system will help protect the Ukrainian population and their critical infrastructure from attacks by Russian drones, missiles and aircraft.He had expressed his support for National Defense Minister Anita Anand on Twitter last January.

Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand visited an exhibition of destroyed Russian military equipment in St. Michael’s Square in Kyiv.

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Photo: Reuters/Nacho Dos

Air defense missiles

In addition to the surface-to-air missile system, Canada has pledged to supply three different types of missiles aimed at protecting Ukrainian airspace.

Thus, 43 AIM-9 missiles come directly from the inventory of the Canadian Armed Forces (FCC) has already been sent to Ukraine. These are thermally sensitive air-to-air missiles that are used as surface-to-air missiles.

Also known as the “Sparrow”, it will carry 288 AIM-7 radar-guided air-to-air missiles and 12 AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM). FCC.

Before being sent to Ukraine, the missiles will be shipped to the United States and modified to be ground-launched.

It is difficult to estimate the value of these missiles, especially due to inflation, the costs of supplying the equipment and its maintenance. It can be encrypted Ten million dollars.

Tanks and armored vehicles

In addition to training Ukrainian troops, Canada also fulfilled its obligations to Ukraine last April when it delivered eight Cheetah 2 tanks.

The latest Leopard 2 tank arrived in Ukraine last April.

Photo: Canadian Armed Forces

The German-made Panther 2 is considered by many military experts to be superior to the bulk of Russian armor, especially in terms of protection, agility and accuracy.

Also, the Cheetah 2 was praised for its ability to go in reverse at high speed, a significant advantage in a combat situation. So says Ralf Raths, director of the German Tank Museum in Münster.

” Imagine a boxer who cannot move freely in the ring and can only move in one direction. Meanwhile, his opponent, like Leopard 2, can move in all directions, giving him a huge advantage. »

As with the missiles, it is difficult to estimate the financial value of Canada’s donation of its tanks. However, the value of this donation can be appreciated since Canada purchased 100 used Leopard 2 tanks from the Netherlands in the mid-2000s. 6.5 million dollars each.

Several dozen Canadian LAVs (Light Armored Vehicles) have been sent to Ukraine.

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Photo: The Canadian Press/Bill Graveland

In addition to tanks, there are 248 armored vehicles, including 39 combat vehicles. FCC. This help is appreciated 335 million dollars.

Artillery pieces

In addition, Canada sent four M-777 howitzers from its arsenal to Ukraine in the weeks following the Russian invasion. Operated by a crew of eight soldiers, these cannons can hit targets up to 30 kilometers away.

Ukrainian soldiers fire an M-777 howitzer at a forward position as Russia’s offensive on Ukraine continues, in the Kharkiv region on August 1, 2022.

Photo: Reuters / Sofia Kadylova

The Department of National Defense did not specify the value of the howitzers. However, a replacement barrel costs approx 9 A million dollars a pieceAnd 40,000 bullets worth already used in battle 60 million dollars.

Canada also supplied small arms and ammunition of value 238 million dollars.

John Mazerol, in association with CBC news