Canada has completed the transfer of 1,300 decommissioned warheads to Ukraine as part of a military aid package announced last June.
The warheads, intended for 70mm CRV-7 unguided rockets, were flown to Poland last month aboard a C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft before being sent to Kyiv.
Prior to the transfer, the warheads had been out of service for several years and stored in Canadian military warehouses. They were previously used by Ottawa’s CF-18 Hornet fighter jets to support combat operations.
Reactivating the weapons is expected to significantly enhance the lethality of Ukraine’s combat aircraft and mobile artillery units.
It can also help Ukrainian forces deliver widespread damage to enemy positions, boosting Kyiv’s offensive operations.
Last month, approximatively 1,300 CRV-7 rocket warheads arrived in Poland via CC-177 Globemaster, continuing Canada’s support for Ukraine. We’re working with Allies to provide Ukraine with the critical military aid it needs. https://t.co/wsT3i6JN5M pic.twitter.com/nyXMOrUJqE
— National Defence (@NationalDefence) January 9, 2025
In mid-2024, Canada announced it had shipped 2,160 unarmed CRV-7 rockets, designed for use against enemy fortifications and armored vehicles.
Causing Significant Damage
While the recently delivered warheads may lack the precision and firepower of modern munitions, their sheer quantity could provide Kyiv with the volume needed to effectively counter Russian aggression.
These warheads are designed to deliver a powerful explosive payload, prioritizing impact over precision and targeting accuracy.
This makes them ideal for saturation fire, where the goal is to overwhelm or suppress the enemy by flooding a large area with a high volume of firepower, inflicting significant damage.
When paired with the right rocket motors and launch systems, the CRV-7 warheads can equip Ukrainian forces with a potent asset to challenge Russian advances.