Canada to help train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets due to be flying by summer
Global News
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Thursday the federal government will commit up to $389 million over the coming year to the training, and an additional $500 million in aid.
Canada will help lead the training of Ukrainian fighter jet pilots on F-16s being delivered by NATO allies, which the U.S. expects will be flying by the summer.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government will commit up to $389 million over the coming year to “enhance” the training, along with $500 million in additional military aid as part of NATO’s long-term pledge for Ukraine.
“The message is clear: we’re all here to support Ukraine until victory and beyond,” Trudeau told reporters in Washington on Thursday as NATO leaders wrapped up their annual summit.
Trudeau spoke about new support for Ukraine while laying out a timeline for when Canada will finally reach NATO’s target of spending at least two per cent of GDP on defence.
The prime minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, where he pledged Canada’s ongoing support and unveiled the new aid commitments.
Zelenskyy said in a social media post on X the two discussed “the possibility of additional training on Canadian flight simulators.”
Trudeau was due to participate in a larger meeting on Ukraine later on Thursday, which will follow a bilateral meeting between Zelenskyy and U.S. President Joe Biden.