By KYIV. Nov 17 (Interfax-Ukraine) – Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced the provision of new military assistance in the amount of $34 million to Ukraine, according to the website of the Canadian Ministry of Defense.
"At today’s virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), Defence Minister Anita Anand announced details of Canada’s latest tranche of military support for Ukraine," the ministry said in the statement.
As noted, Canada will provide approximately $34 million in additional military aid to Ukraine. Minister Anand also highlighted that Canada will extend its training mission in the United Kingdom under Operation UNIFIER until the end of 2023.
This latest military aid package responds to urgent priorities identified by Ukraine, including: approximately $5 million to continue providing critical satellite imagery to the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU); more than $18 million for additional, high-resolution drone cameras; and, up to $10 million to provide additional winter gear to support the AFU, including portable heaters, thermal blankets and sleeping bags sourced from Canadian companies through the Canadian Commercial Corporation.
The cameras and satellite imagery are critical for surveillance, reconnaissance and gathering intelligence and will complement the $17.38M in satellite imagery and 62 drone cameras for Ukraine that Canada has already committed.
It is noted that this aid comes from existing funds and complements the $500 million in additional military assistance for Ukraine that the Prime Minister announced on Monday, November 14.
On November 14, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the allocation of a $500 million military aid package to Ukraine. These funds will be used to purchase surveillance and communications equipment, fuel and medicines.
