IRIA News

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Canada’s Minister of National Defense Bill Blair announced that Canada’s donation of a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) has successfully arrived in Ukraine. The cutting-edge system arrived in Ukraine at a critical time as Kyiv is rushing to fortify its air defense against relentless Russian air raids and missile attacks.

“This ground-based air defense system will help Ukraine protect itself against destructive air attacks. Canada’s support for Ukraine is steadfast, and we will continue to step up and build on our contributions to Ukraine in their fight against Russia’s invasion,” Blair emphasized in a statement. He also expressed gratitude to the United States and Norway for their partnership in ensuring the safe delivery of the system.

The NASAMS, a short-to-medium-range ground-based air defense system, is widely recognized for its high success rate in intercepting drone, missile, and aircraft attacks. Manufactured by Raytheon in collaboration with Norway’s Kongsberg, this system represents a vital tool for Ukraine to protect its skies. Valued at approximately $406 million, the NASAMS donation is part of the $500 million military aid package announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November 2022.

Delivery challenges

Despite being a high-priority effort, the NASAMS delivery encountered several bureaucratic delays. While the purchase from the U.S. was initially announced in January 2023, Canada did not transfer funds to the U.S. until March 2023.

Moreover, the U.S. congressional approval for the procurement process was also delayed and it was not finalized until May 2023. Despite these setbacks, the Canadian government expedited the delivery by coordinating with a larger U.S. government purchase.

Canada’s NASAMS delivery comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Moscow had launched a medium-range hypersonic ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, striking an industrial facility and a rehabilitation center for people with disabilities. The attack left two people injured, according to Ukrainian officials.

The missile strike was framed by Putin as a response to what he calls “Western aggression,” following recent approvals from the U.S. and the U.K. allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied long-range missiles on Russian soil. Meanwhile, Russia has updated its nuclear doctrine, lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons, a move that has alarmed the international community.

Canada’s support for Ukraine

Since February 2022, Canada has committed $4.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine, including donations of over 300 air defense missiles, armored vehicles, artillery, and winter supplies. Additionally, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has played a crucial role in transporting over 22 million pounds of military aid to Ukraine and its allies.

Training initiatives have also been central to Canada’s support. Under Operation UNIFIER, more than 43,000 members of Ukraine’s Armed Forces have been trained by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) since the program’s inception.

Currently, over 350 CAF personnel are deployed in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia to continue training Ukrainian troops and facilitating military aid delivery. This mission has been extended until March 2026.

Sweden and Denmark to support Ukraine’s defense industry

Separately last week, Sweden announced significant funding for the mass production of long-range missiles and drones directly within Ukraine. This landmark initiative, revealed by Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson during talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, underscores Sweden’s long-term commitment to Kyiv’s defense. By empowering Ukraine to produce these vital weapons domestically, Stockholm not only strengthens Ukraine’s immediate military posture but also enhances its self-reliance in the years ahead.

Meanwhile, Denmark announced a contribution of $141 million in new financial aid aimed at developing Ukraine’s missile and drone production. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen reaffirmed her nation’s steadfast support during a visit to Kyiv. Denmark’s innovative collaboration model, which has already delivered over 20 defense assistance packages, is a testament to the robust partnership between the two countries.

Last week Ukraine’s Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva met with the Heads of the Security Policy Departments at the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. The meeting focused on further joint efforts to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense and enhance the Ukrainian army’s capabilities.