As reported by Reuters, Canada is going to buy a NASAMS air defense system from the US and transfer it to Ukraine. This is stated in the message from the office of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, which was made public after his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Mexico City.
Later, it was confirmed by the Minister of National Defense of Canada Anita Anand on Twitter.
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“I spoke with the Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksii Reznikov, 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," wrote the minister.It should not be assumed that this NASAMS will appear in Ukraine tomorrow. If it is an acquisition, then it is an acquisition from the manufacturer, that is, Raytheon. Unfortunately, due to high demand, there is a long queue. For example, 6 NASAMS systems for Ukraine, ordered from the manufacturer by the USA itself, will be ready only... by November 28, 2025. This is not the exact date of production of the last complex, it's the final date of the contract (Raytheon can do it faster), but still.
In addition to Ukraine, Hungary and Qatar are also in line for NASAMS. They ordered them back in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Estonia, Latvia, Kuwait and Taiwan are also named among the potential operators of this air defense system. Due to the Russian-Ukrainian war and the needs of the Air Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, all these agreements are being delayed.
Currently Ukraine has already two NASAMS systems, which showed themselves very well during the massive missile attacks of the Russians.
Anyway, thanks Canada!