The Prime Minister’s office states “The Prime Minister informed the President that Canada will purchase a U.S.-manufactured National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) for Ukraine.”
Soon after, on Twitter Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy tweeted to Justin Trudeau thanking him for the commitment.
According to the Canadian Department of National Defence, “A NASAMS is a short to medium range ground-based air defence system that protects against drone, missile, and aircraft attack, with a high success rate.”
Adding that “Canada’s NASAMS donation will help Ukraine strengthen its air defence systems against destructive air attacks on military sites, civilian critical infrastructure, and population centres.”
The Department of National Defence estimates the new system is valued at “approximately $406 million,” in addition to the “$500 million in military aid to Ukraine that Prime Minister Trudeau announced on November 14, 2022.”
“The donation builds on Canada’s longstanding military support to Ukraine, including our training mission – Operation UNIFIER, donations of armoured vehicles, artillery, drone cameras, and winter clothing, and ongoing efforts by the Royal Canadian Air Force to transport Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, Allies, and partners.”
The Department of National Defence says “Canada remains committed to providing Ukraine with the military aid that it needs to defend itself from Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable attacks, including intensifying Russian air raids.”
