The Canadian government has announced it will buy a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from the United States and donated it to Ukraine in a bid to help strengthen the country’s air defense systems against ongoing Russian attacks.
In addition to NASAMS, the government will also supply Ukraine with all associated munitions. The value of the donation, which was officially announced on January 10, 2023, stands at around $406 million. It will be funded by the country’s $500 million military aid package for Ukraine, which was first announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November 2022.
“The donation builds on Canada’s longstanding military support to Ukraine, including our training mission – Operation UNIFIER, donations of armored vehicles, artillery, drone cameras, and winter clothing, and ongoing efforts by the Royal Canadian Air Force to transport Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, Allies, and partners,” the government said in a statement.
“Canada remains committed to providing Ukraine with the military aid that it needs to defend itself from Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable attacks, including intensifying Russian air raids,” the government concluded.
The NASAMS, a short to medium-range ground-based air defense system, which is dedicated to protecting against drone, missile, and aircraft attacks, is Canada’s first donation of the type to Ukraine. Since February 2022, when Russia invaded the country, the Canadian government has committed a total of more than $1 billion in military aid.