Canada will be ordering significant quantities of Ukrainian drones as part of the Drone Deal and plans to establish production facilities capable of manufacturing millions of drones within two years. Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in Calgary that a third of all drones manufactured would be transferred to Ukraine for its defence. Volodymyr Zelenskyy described this as the first such agreement with a country on the American continent.
Briefly about the main points
- Canada is expanding its cooperation with Ukraine in the production of drones.
- Ottawa intends to build the capacity to produce millions of drones within two years.
- Part of the forthcoming issue will be allocated to supporting Ukraine’s defence.
- The parties will combine Ukrainian technology with Canadian manufacturing facilities.
- Canada is allocating 350 million Canadian dollars to Ukraine’s air defence.
Canada is setting up its own procurement and production system
During a meeting with Zelensky, Karni He said that the Canadian Armed Forces currently have around 2,000 drones, although the country will need millions in the coming years. To build up its capabilities, Ottawa is establishing a national Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace based on the principles of the Ukrainian platform Brave1.
Canada has already signed initial contracts worth up to 50 million Canadian dollars. These are set to increase the number of drones in the Canadian armed forces tenfold.
The agreement covers drones, counter-drone measures and ammunition
Kyiv and Ottawa have agreed on a long-term intergovernmental partnership in the production of unmanned systems, anti-drone measures and priority munitions. The Ukrainian side will provide combat experience and technology.
Canada must provide a manufacturing base, software and expertise in the field of artificial intelligence. According to Zelenskyy, such cooperation should strengthen the defence industries of both countries.
The companies will collaborate on drones and related technologies
General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada and the Ukrainian company Green Tech Harvest will be working on drones and related technologies. This partnership was announced separately from the intergovernmental agreement.
In May, the Ukrainian company Airlogix and the Canadian firm Sentinel Research & Development also signed an agreement to manufacture Ukrainian drones in Canada.
Ukraine is seeking interceptors to counter jet-powered attack UAVs
Zelenskyy described defence against jet-powered attack drones as one of Ukraine’s priorities, noting that Russia is using them more frequently in its attacks. Ukraine has several projects in development high-speed interceptor drones, and their prototypes have already been created.
The President identified the next task as bringing the systems up to the required level of effectiveness and rapidly scaling up production. Ukraine plans to use these solutions in its own air defence and to share its expertise with partners.
The drone programme complements a broader security partnership
In Calgary Zelenskyy and Karni signed a Declaration on a 100-year partnership, covering defence, security, energy, technology, trade and critical minerals.
Canada has also announced a package worth 350 million Canadian dollars to strengthen Ukraine’s air defence capabilities, in particular for the procurement of the necessary interceptors. The drone agreement provides for joint production projects.
