Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Canada pitches in $76 million for 'faster' German air-defence systems in Ukraine

Germany’s Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius (left) and Minister of National Defence Bill Blair take part in a joint news conference. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) Germany’s Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius (left) and Minister of National Defence Bill Blair take part in a joint news conference. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
Share

Canada is putting $76 million towards a German-led effort to help Ukraine defend itself from Russian missiles and aircraft, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced Friday, with no timeline in sight for when a system already purchased from the U.S. will be ready. 

"Germany is able to get real value for our dollars in support of Ukraine by making sure that they not only get what they want, but they get it faster," Blair said at a news conference.

Blair spoke alongside his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, who said allies are unwavering in opposing Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which started in February 2022 after a decade of contained fighting.

"With this contribution, Canada clearly shows its resolute commitment to a rules-based international order and to the values that also guide us in the transatlantic alliance," Pistorius said.

In January 2023, Canada spent $400 million to send an American air-defence system to Ukraine, which Blair says is still being manufactured. 

He didn't provide a timeline when asked when it will be ready. 

"That work is underway; production is taking place," he said. "We're all working as hard as and as fast as possible to deliver what Ukraine needs."

Pistorius also said Friday he had presented a letter from Germany and Norway with a proposal. "Let us initiate a trilateral strategic maritime partnership, with a focus on securing sea lines of communication through the North Atlantic and Arctic. This can become a political route for many joint activities."

Pistorius had no complaints about Canada's persistent lack of a plan to meet the defence spending target it committed to years ago as part of the NATO alliance, which is two per cent of gross domestic product.

Instead, Pistorius said Germany can rely on an "absolutely fantastic and reliable" Canada, and he noted both countries are trying to recruit soldiers while boosting funding and production capacity.

"There is no reason at all for me to complain about Canada's engagement. The opposite is the case," he said. "We have all the same challenges in our domestic politics."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 10, 2024

IN DEPTH

Opinion

opinion

opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster

A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?

opinion

opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike

When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

WATCH LIVE @ 3:30 P.M.

WATCH LIVE @ 3:30 P.M.

The two people who died in a major fire in Old Montreal on Friday were a mother and her seven-year-old daughter, sources told Noovo Info.

The sentencing of the man who pleaded guilty in the deadly hit-and-run in Kitsilano two years ago began on Friday.

A 30-year-old northwestern Ontario woman has been charged with arson following a structure fire Thursday night, police say.

Ontario Provincial Police have laid stunt charges against a driver caught speeding 75 km/h over the speed limit on Highway 417 in Ottawa's west end.

Travelling on a budget can be stressful, but there are ways you can ensure you're getting the best deal on flights as the holiday season approaches.

Local Spotlight

Chantal Kreviazuk is set to return to Winnipeg to mark a major milestone in her illustrious musical career.

From the beaches of Cannes to the bustling streets of New York City, a new film by a trio of Manitoba directors has toured the international film festival circuit to much pomp and circumstance.

A husband and wife have been on the road trip of a lifetime and have decided to stop in Saskatchewan for the winter.

The grave of a previously unknown Canadian soldier has been identified as a man from Hayfield, Man. who fought in the First World War.

A group of classic car enthusiasts donated hundreds of blankets to nursing homes in Nova Scotia.

Moving into the second week of October, the eastern half of Canada can expect some brisker fall air to break down from the north

What does New Westminster's təməsew̓txʷ Aquatic and Community Centre have in common with a historic 68,000-seat stadium in Beijing, an NFL stadium and the aquatics venue for the Paris Olympics? They've all been named among the world's most beautiful sports venues for 2024.

The last living member of the legendary Vancouver Asahi baseball team, Kaye Kaminishi, died on Saturday, Sept. 28, surrounded by family. He was 102 years old.

New data from Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley shows a surge in supply and drop in demand in the region's historically hot real estate market.

Stay Connected