Canada purchases US-made air defense system to donate to Ukraine
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand announced on Tuesday that her country is to purchase a US-made National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) to donate to Ukraine.
The ministry said, in a press release, the system “will help Ukraine strengthen its air defence systems against destructive air attacks on military sites, civilian critical infrastructure, and population centres.”
NASAMS is a short to medium range ground-based air defense system that protects against the attacks of drones, missiles, and aircrafts.
It is the first Canadian donation of an air defense system to Ukraine.
The donation is estimated at about $406 million, coming from the $500 million in military aid to Ukraine that Prime Minister Trudeau announced in November 2022.
Canada will keep supporting Ukraine militarily to defend itself from “Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable attacks,” according to the release.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in turn, thanked Trudeau, saying, “your true leadership in standing for democracy and human rights has been vividly proven again. Thank you for helping us to protect our sky.”
“NASAMS procured for us by Canada will be a strong shield for our cities and citizens,” he added.