Canada to contribute $76M to German-led air defence fund for Ukraine
Global News
Defence Minister Bill Blair and his German counterpart announced the contribution to Germany's Immediate Action on Air Defence initiative after a joint meeting in Ottawa.
Canada will contribute $76 million to a German-led initiative to raise funds for air defence systems that will be sent to Ukraine, the Canadian and German defence ministers announced Friday.
Defence Minister Bill Blair and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius signed a letter of intent for the contribution to Germany’s Immediate Action on Air Defence initiative after a joint meeting in Ottawa.
The initiative pools money and resources from international partners to quickly source and deliver air defence systems to the battlefield.
“This investment will help Ukraine defend itself against brutal attacks that have destroyed hospitals, power plants and apartment blocks and have killed thousands of innocent Ukrainians,” Blair told reporters.
A spokesperson for Blair’s office confirmed to Global News the funding comes from the $1.6 billion in Ukraine military aid over five years previously announced in the latest federal budget.
Pistorius said air defence systems acquired through the German fund are due to be delivered to Ukraine “during the coming weeks.”
Blair noted it would take several years for Canada to acquire the same air defence systems Germany is purchasing and delivering through its fund.
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