Canada completes weapons, ammo cargo to Ukraine however nonetheless engaged on F-16 fighter jet coaching

In June, Trudeau introduced that Canada would take part in multinational efforts to offer the pilot coaching to Ukraine, regardless of Canada’s navy not utilizing any F-16s

Printed Sep 05, 2023 • Final up to date 7 hours in the past • 3 minute learn

In July, Canada signed an F-16 coaching settlement with Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK. The nations agreed to determine a joint coalition on coaching of the Ukrainian Air Power in working and sustaining F-16 fighter plane. Picture by FADEL SENNA/AFP through Getty Pictures/File

Canada has accomplished sending $59 million price of ammunition and small arms to Ukraine however it’s nonetheless engaged on easy methods to contribute to coaching that nation’s pilots on easy methods to function F-16 fighter jets, in line with Nationwide Defence officers.

The Pentagon lately introduced it might begin coaching Ukrainian pilots within the U.S. in October on easy methods to fly the American-built F-16s. Denmark additionally introduced Aug. 20 it has begun coaching eight Ukrainian pilots on easy methods to fly the fighter jets and one other 65 navy personnel on upkeep procedures. That coaching is happening in Denmark.

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Canada’s position, nonetheless, continues to be undetermined.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau introduced June 10 in Kyiv that Canada would take part in multinational efforts to offer the pilot coaching to Ukraine. A month later, Canada signed an F-16 coaching settlement with Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden and the UK.

The nations agreed to determine a joint coalition on coaching of the Ukrainian Air Power in working and sustaining F-16 fighter plane.

Canada’s navy doesn’t function the F-16.

However that doesn’t matter, in line with Nationwide Defence.

“These planning efforts are centered on coaching college students with no prior expertise to change into pilots, technicians and help workers to soundly and successfully function the F-16,” stated Nationwide Defence spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin. “This sort of initiative requires a number of coaching phases that aren’t essentially tied to a selected platform, such because the F-16.”

She famous that Canada has participated in discussions and planning to help within the improvement of a complete coaching program.

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Poulin stated work is ongoing to finalize the coaching syllabus, together with the precise contributions by Canada and different allies. “Planning and discussions with allies proceed, and we glance ahead sharing extra particulars sooner or later,” she added.

U.S. air pressure officers have informed journalists that they estimate pilots with earlier expertise on different fighter jets can learn to function the F-16 inside 5 months.

Within the meantime, Canada has adopted via with its announcement from earlier this 12 months to spend $59 million to buy weapons and ammunition for Ukraine.

That materiel has been delivered, confirmed Nationwide Defence spokesperson Jessica Lamirande.

Trudeau introduced the newest weapons donation April 11 at a information convention after assembly with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. Trudeau stated on the time Canada would ship 21,000 assault rifles, 38 machine weapons and a couple of.4 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraine.

The weapons despatched included M4 carbines; M4 Commandos; M16A4 rifles; M5 carbines; and C8A2 carbines, in line with Nationwide Defence. The division famous that for safety causes it was not offering a breakdown on numbers of every variant.

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Trudeau stated on the time the weapons will probably be “sourced from Colt Canada” in Kitchener, Ont.

However defence officers stated elements will probably be introduced in from the U.S. so the weapons will be assembled in Canada.

The Canadian-based firearms producer is owned by the Colt CZ Group, which is headquartered within the Czech Republic. Colt CZ Group has manufacturing amenities within the Czech Republic, the USA, Canada and Sweden.

Eva Svobodová, spokesperson for Colt CZ Group, didn’t reply to the query on the time of the announcement about whether or not the manufacturing of the rifles could be accomplished at Colt Canada or on the firm’s numerous different areas around the globe. However she famous that “Colt Canada will play an necessary position” within the deliveries of the weapons.

Nationwide Defence didn’t present additional particulars on the two.4 million rounds bought for Ukraine.

Canada has dedicated $8 billion in monetary and navy support to Ukraine for the reason that Russian invasion started final 12 months.

Navy help has included Leopard tanks, howitzers, armoured autos and an air defence system.

David Pugliese is an award-winning journalist masking Canadian Forces and navy points in Canada. To help his work, together with unique content material for subscribers solely, join right here: ottawacitizen.com/subscribe