Canada joins F-16 training for Ukrainians and sends a new military aid package to Kyiv

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that the country will join a coalition to train Ukrainians on F-16 fighter jets.

Trudeau announced during a speech in the Canadian Parliament.

“We will send instructors to train Ukrainian pilots and maintenance personnel on F-16s so that Ukrainians can maximise the use of the fighter jets they have been given,” the Canadian prime minister said.

Trudeau’s statement was part of announcing a $483 million long-term military support package for Ukraine, including 50 armoured vehicles.

Canada has prepared a new military aid package for Ukraine worth almost $483 million, including 50 armoured vehicles over the next three years.

“I have been clear that our government will support Ukraine for as long as it takes… Today, we are announcing a longer-term, multi-year commitment that provides predictable and stable support for Ukraine. This includes $650 million (Canadian) over three years for 50 armoured vehicles, including medevacs, to be built by Canadian specialists in London, Ontario,” Trudeau said.

Since Russia’s full-scale war began, Canada has provided Ukraine with military, humanitarian and financial assistance worth about CAD 9 billion, Mr Trudeau reminded.

The Canadian government has also imposed numerous sanctions against Russia, deployed Canadian forces to Europe to train Ukrainian soldiers and hosted more than 175,000 Ukrainians.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Canada on an unannounced visit after visiting the United States, where he met with US President Joe Biden.

During the talks, the leaders of Ukraine and Canada discussed Ukraine’s defence needs, further financial and humanitarian support for Kyiv, and economic and investment cooperation.

As you know, Ukrainian pilots have already begun training on F-16 fighter jets in Denmark. Greece and Portugal will join the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16s. Denmark, the Netherlands, and Norway have already decided to provide F-16s to Ukraine.