Within the framework of the international summit held in Kyiv yesterday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed that his country is preparing to transfer four new F-16 fighter jet flight simulators to equip the Ukrainian Air Force. Additionally, as part of a broad military assistance package outlined by Ottawa, it was announced that Ukrainian troops will receive up to 25 LAV III combat vehicles and various batches of ammunition.
It is worth mentioning that the arrival of these new simulators to accelerate the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighters comes as positive news amid Belgium’s announcement regarding delays in the delivery of U.S.-made aircraft allocated to the Ukrainian Air Force, which comprises a fleet of 30 units. This was revealed during an interview with local media by the Chief of Defense of the Belgian Armed Forces, General Frederik Vansina, who stated that the replacement of these aircraft with stealth F-35 fighters, initially scheduled to begin in 2023, is still facing significant delays. So far, only one aircraft has been delivered, currently serving at Luke Air Force Base for training future pilots on the platform.
Meanwhile, the LAV III armored vehicles destined for the Ukrainian Army are expected to integrate quickly into frontline operations, given their similarity to other vehicles already in service. Kyiv currently operates LAV 6.0 ACSV and Stryker platforms, which are used for troop support and transport in infantry operations. Among the key features of the LAV III is its integration of a 25mm Bushmaster cannon, which uses the same standard ammunition as Bradley vehicles, as well as bulletproof protection capable of withstanding heavy machine gun fire.
In addition to the announcement regarding the delivery of this military equipment, the Canadian government also disclosed that it is providing over $5 billion in financial assistance to Ukraine. These funds, sourced from frozen accounts of sanctioned Russian entities due to the 2022 invasion, add to previously committed Canadian financial support for Ukraine. This funding is intended to support various initiatives, including the purchase of personal protective equipment for Ukrainian soldiers (such as bulletproof vests and NBC protective suits), assistance programs for former prisoners of war returning to Ukraine, and efforts to enhance the protection of key energy infrastructure, among others.
Prime Minister Trudeau himself issued the following statement on the matter: “For three years, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience against Russia’s brutal war of aggression. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to all of us. Today, in Kyiv, my message to Ukraine and Ukrainians is loud and clear: Canada will continue to support you in achieving a just and lasting peace. We are strengthening our commitments, providing additional support, and working with our partners to ensure peace and freedom for Ukraine.”
It is also important to recall that Canada has already invested over $4.5 billion in military assistance for Ukraine since the start of the war (with a total of $19.7 billion invested overall), according to official reports from Ottawa. In practical terms, this has translated into the delivery of M777 howitzers, Leopard 2 tanks, armored vehicles, drones, and a wide range of supplies for Ukrainian infantry forces. One of the most recent shipments, completed in January, included 1,300 CRV-7 70mm rocket warheads, transported via a CC-177 Globemaster III aircraft.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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