London, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces
The first four of 50 new Armoured Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs) built by Canadian workers for donation to Ukraine are departing for Europe, where members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) will be trained in their use this summer. The first 10 of these vehicles being donated are the ACSVs ambulance variant.
On behalf of Defence Minister Bill Blair, Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre, visited General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada today to see the initial tranche of departing vehicles and to thank the workers who built them. The vehicles are being transported from London, Ontario for delivery to Europe.
These vehicles are part of a fleet of state-of-the-art armoured vehicles that Canada is donating to Ukraine. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on September 22, 2023, Canada is investing $650 million over three years to provide Ukraine with 50 Armoured Combat Support Vehicles built in London, Ontario.
These state-of-the-art armoured vehicles will fulfil a wide variety of roles on the battlefield – including transporting troops, providing secure locations for command and control, and enabling medical evacuations. These ACSVs, also used by the Canadian Army, provide a high degree of manoeuverability and protection to their crews and payloads.
The ambulance variant of ACSVs is equipped with medical equipment and an internal layout that will allow for the treatment of a wide range of injuries. These initial 10 vehicles will be delivered to Ukraine by the fall and will enable the AFU to safely evacuate wounded personnel from combat zones.
This donation is part of the over $14 billion in total assistance that Canada has committed to Ukraine since February 2022, including $4 billion in military assistance. Canada has donated Leopard 2 battle tanks, anti-tank weapons, M777 howitzers, artillery ammunition, winter clothing, and more. Canada is also contributing to multinational efforts to train pilots and maintainers in support of Ukraine’s incoming fleet of F-16 fighter jets, and participates in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Armour, Air Force, and Drone Capability Coalitions.
Canada will continue to work closely with its partners and allies to provide Ukraine with the military assistance it needs as it fights Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war.
Quotes
“Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine is also an attack on the right of all nations to choose their own future. Ukraine must win this war – and Ukraine can count on Canada’s support until its victory. Canada is proud to be providing Ukraine with a new fleet of state-of-the-art armoured vehicles to protect its brave military personnel. I thank all the workers in London, Ontario who built these vehicles for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.”
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence
“Here in London, the hundreds of Canadian workers at General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada do incredible work to equip the Canadian Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Our community is proud to contribute these vehicles to Ukraine – and we stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian troops fighting bravely to defend their sovereignty.”
Peter Fragiskatos, Member of Parliament for London North Centre
“In our community of London North, countless people display the Ukrainian flag on their homes, cars, and small businesses, because they understand that Ukraine’s fight to defend itself is a fight for the values that we all share. The armoured vehicles built by London workers will help Ukraine’s troops defend their territory – and ultimately, defend the international rules that keep us all safe.”
Arielle Kayabaga, Member of Parliament for London West
“The Canadian Commercial Corporation is saddened by the suffering inflicted on the Ukrainian people by Russia’s invasion of their country and proud to support the Government of Canada’s assistance to Ukraine.”
Diane Montambault, VP of Operations, Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC)
“General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada is proud to support Canada’s Armoured Combat Support Vehicles donation to Ukraine. General Dynamics has produced light armoured vehicles for Canada and its allies for over 47 years. These London-made vehicles sustain a cross-Canada supply chain of over 600 suppliers, and support thousands of well-paying middle class Canadian jobs.”
Jason Alejandro Monahan, Vice President and General Manager, General Dynamics Land Systems–Canada
Quick facts
- This is the second fleet of ACSVs that Canada is donating to Ukraine. As announced in 2022, Canada has already donated and delivered 39 ACSVs to Ukraine.
- In addition to equipment donations, Canada continues to train AFU personnel under Operation UNIFIER, with more than 300 CAF members deployed.
- Since the launch of Operation UNIFIER in 2015, Canada has trained more than 41,000 members of the AFU. Canada has announced the extension of this mission until March 2026, so that the Canadian Armed Forces can continue to respond to Ukraine’s urgent training needs.
- Since late March 2022, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has been transporting Ukraine-bound military aid donated by Canada, partners, and Allies. To date, the RCAF has transported 19 million pounds of military donations.
- Through the ACSV project, the Government of Canada is investing approximately $2 billion to deliver 360 of these vehicles to the Canadian Army. This project is supporting 1,975 jobs annually in London, Ontario and across the country, as well as contributing $250 million dollars annually to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product over an eight-year period.
- Minister Blair officially accepted delivery of the first new ACSV for the Canadian Army in October 2023, ahead of the initial expected delivery date.
- As part of the Government of Canada’s assistance to Ukraine, the Canadian Commercial Corporation works with the Department of National Defence to provide timely and effective sourcing of military equipment for the Ukrainian government.
Contacts
Diana Ebadi
Press Secretary and Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of National Defence
Email: [email protected]
Media Relations
Department of National Defence
Phone: 613-904-3333
Email: [email protected]
