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Canada Sends Armored Vehicles and EW Gear to Ukraine in New $35M Military Aid Package
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![Photo of Vlad Litnarovych]( "Photo of Vlad Litnarovych")
During the 28th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, Canadian Minister of National Defence David J. McGuinty announced over $35 million in new military assistance for Ukraine, further reinforcing Canada’s long-standing commitment to Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s war of aggression, defense outlet Army Recognition reported on June 12.
The latest package includes $30 million dedicated to the provision of Bison and Coyote armored vehicles, alongside additional equipment and ammunition sourced from Canadian defense contractors. This new aid follows the December 2024 delivery of 64 Coyote armored vehicles to Ukrainian forces.
The Canadian Armed Forces originally acquired 203 Coyote reconnaissance vehicles in three core variants: a mast-mounted surveillance model, a remote sensor version, and a basic reconnaissance/command post configuration.
Meanwhile, $5 million of the new funding will be used to supply electronic warfare anti-jammer kits from Canadian defense firms. These funds are part of pre-allocated resources under Canada’s 2024 budget and fall within the Canada–Ukraine Strategic Security Partnership framework.
Both the Bison armored personnel carrier and the Coyote reconnaissance vehicle share a common LAV II platform, developed by General Motors Diesel Division Canada. The Bison, in service since 1990, was originally intended for Canada’s Primary Reserve Forces but was soon reallocated to the Regular Forces.
It features a raised roofline, a modular interior system for rapid role conversion, and configurations ranging from command posts and ambulances to mortar carriers, electronic warfare platforms, and NBC reconnaissance units. With a Detroit Diesel 6V53T engine producing 275 hp, an 8×8 suspension system, and a top speed of 100 km/h, the Bison was upgraded between 2002 and 2008 to improve mobility, armor compatibility, and environmental protection systems. As of January 2025, 155 Bison remain in Canadian service, fulfilling support and combat roles.
The Coyote, introduced in 1996, replaced the aging Lynx reconnaissance vehicle. It boasts superior detection capabilities, including mast- and tripod-mounted sensors capable of spotting vehicles up to 24 km away and personnel up to 20 km under optimal conditions.
Armed with a 25mm M242 Bushmaster chain gun, two 7.62mm C6 machine guns, and eight grenade launchers, the Coyote also features laser warning receivers and advanced tactical navigation systems. Its 275 hp engine provides a range of 660 km. While originally spread across various formations, all Coyotes are now operated by Canada’s Regular Forces.
Canada’s total military support to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022 now exceeds $4.5 billion, with total aid reaching $19.5 billion. This includes a broad range of military systems such as:
8 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks
91 LAV 6.0 Combat Support Vehicles
25 LAV III infantry fighting vehicles
29 M113 variants
39 Armored Combat Support Vehicles (ACSVs)
208 Roshel Senator armored vehicles
Additionally, Canada has delivered over 80,000 CRV-7 rocket motors, 1,300 warheads, and artillery systems such as four M777 howitzers paired with M982 Excalibur precision rounds and 40,000 155mm shells. Anti-air capabilities include 1 NASAMS battery, AIM-120, and AIM-9 missiles, and significant contributions to drone operations and airfield infrastructure to support Ukraine’s F-16 fleet.
As a key participant in the UDCG’s Air Force Capability Coalition, Canada has committed $389 million over five years for pilot training, airfield upgrades, simulators, and operational support. Additional commitments include $60 million for F-16 spare parts and avionics, $15 million for Canadian firms operating in Ukraine’s defense sector, and $5 million for drone jamming systems announced this month.
Canada is also backing multilateral initiatives, contributing $5 million to the NATO-led Drone Capability Coalition and $2 million to the IT Coalition. Through Operation UNIFIER, the Canadian Armed Forces have trained more than 44,500 Ukrainian personnel since 2015, with over 350 service members currently deployed for logistics, training, and equipment delivery.
Canada has further donated:
Over 21,000 5.56mm rifles
10,500 9mm pistols
1,170 C6 and C9 machine guns
700 C8 carbines
78 sniper rifles
Over 12.9 million rounds of ammunition
And provided key logistical support such as food, winter clothing, body armor, sleeping bags, gas masks, generators, and energy storage systems. It also contributed $53 million to the Czech-led artillery procurement effort and $30 million to maintain Leopard 2 tanks in Poland.
These measures align with Canada’s updated defense policy, Our North, Strong and Free, which calls for an $8.1 billion increase in spending over five years and $73 billion over two decades—nearly tripling defense expenditures compared to 2014–2015 levels.
Earlier, Ukraine’s state-owned defense concern “Ukroboronprom” reached an agreement with Canadian company Roshel to co-produce armored vehicles, a move that will significantly accelerate their delivery to the front.
