Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday said his government would purchase a US air defense system to donate to Ukraine.
The US-built air defense system is worth $406 million Canadian (US$302 million), Defense Minister Anita Anand said.
The announcement was made after a bilateral meeting between Trudeau and US President Joe Biden in Mexico City.
Canada is offering the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to Ukraine to counter Russia’s massive bombardment of its critical infrastructure, Anand said.
“Canada will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they fight against Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable invasion,” Anand tweeted.
I spoke with Ukrainian Defence Minister @OleksiiReznikov this morning and heard it directly: air defence systems are Ukraine’s top priority. That’s why Canada is purchasing a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from the United States to donate to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/33bdHmcldb
— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) January 10, 2023
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky responded that Canada had “vividly proven” its support.
“Thank you for helping us to protect our sky. NASAMS procured for us by Canada will be a strong shield for our cities and citizens,” Zelensky tweeted.
The donation is in addition to the armored vehicles, artillery, ammunition, drone cameras, and winter clothing that Canada has already provided to Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion.
Several other countries have delivered air defense systems to Kiev, including the United States, Norway, Spain, Germany, and France.
The NASAMS defense system has proven highly successful in protecting against drone, missile and aircraft attack.
