Canada to deliver nearly 500 armored vehicles to Ukraine

Canada is allocating a new military aid package to Ukraine that will include 449 armored vehicles.

The Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty announced this in a statement, Ukrinform's correspondent reports.

"Today's announcement of additional military assistance and the renewal of Operation UNIFIER underscores Canada's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's fight for freedom. We are ensuring Ukraine has the tools to defend its sovereignty, protect its people, and pursue a just and lasting peace," McGuinty said.

The Ministry of National Defence added that the new defense package will include 383 Senator armored vehicles manufactured by Roshel, as well as 66 LAV-6 armored personnel carriers.

In addition, Canada will allocate about $1.5 billion over the course of the year for other military assistance to "ensure the Armed Forces of Ukraine have the equipment and capabilities needed to defend their territory."

As previously reported, Canada earlier announced a three-year extension of the military training mission Operation UNIFIER, under which Canadian service members have trained more than 47,000 Ukrainian troops since 2015. After the start of Russia's full-scale invasion, Canadian instructors left Ukraine, but training resumed several months later in the United Kingdom, Poland, and Latvia.

Photo: Office of the President