Canada increased its ongoing support of Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia by pledging $60 million for setting up its F-16 fighter capability, the government announced Wednesday.
“Specifically, the funds will help source vitally needed F-16 supplies and equipment such as spare parts, weapons stations, avionics, and ammunition,” the Canadian government said in a statement.
The pledge comes on the heels of Canada’s announcement in January that in the next year it will provide an additional $15 million in civilian flight instructors, aircraft and contracted support staff, as well as English-language training to Ukrainian Air Force personnel. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Canada said it has provided more than $2.4 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.
Bill Blair, Canada’s minister of national defense, first made the announcement while participating in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of more than 50 countries that meet regularly to coordinate military aid for Ukraine, which met in Brussels on Wednesday. The contribution is part of $500 million in military assistance announced by Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in June.
“As brave Ukrainian soldiers fight for their country’s freedom and sovereignty, Canadians stand with them,” Blair said in a statement. “Through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, more than 50 countries are also working together to provide Ukraine with the tools that it needs to win. Canada is committed to deepening coordination and cooperation with allies and partners as we work together to strengthen our support for Ukraine’s self-defense and protect the rules-based international order.”
Since February 2022, the international coalition has committed more than $85 billion in military aid to Ukraine, U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Wednesday.
“Later this month, we’ll mark two years since the Kremlin launched its reckless war of imperial aggression against Ukraine,” Austin said in a statement following the group’s meeting. “When [Russia President Vladimir] Putin ordered his unprovoked and indefensible invasion, he assumed that Ukraine’s forces would collapse—and that Ukraine’s friends would cower. But Ukraine’s troops have fought like lions, and countries of conscience from around the world have raced to get Ukraine’s back”
