Canada is preparing to transfer hundreds of modern drones to Ukraine

The Canadian government is finalizing negotiations to supply Ukraine with hundreds of modern reconnaissance drones.

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, this was reported by the National Post.

"It is believed that Ottawa is negotiating the supply of hundreds of high-tech Canadian-made drones to Ukraine, which Ukrainians have called "the only product on the market that meets all our operational needs," the article says.

It is noted that in the summer, Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko sent a letter to the Ministers of Defense and Finance of Canada requesting 300 Teledyne Flir R70 Skyranger drones manufactured in Ontario. According to her, tactical drones play a key role on the battlefield, and Ukraine's own developments have "significant limitations." In particular, they are vulnerable to Russian electronic warfare and have limited capabilities for use at night and in bad weather conditions. The Canadian drone is also equipped with a thermal imager and signal interception and chemical weapons detection functions that Ukrainian defenders need.

"The R70's signal interception capability will be particularly useful as it will allow the drone to locate enemy phones and even identify individuals," the National Post notes.

If Canada agrees to transfer three hundred of these drones to Ukraine, as well as provide training for Ukrainian soldiers in their use and maintenance, it will cost the Canadian treasury approximately $115 million.

"The request for the transfer of drones was not a priority until recently, but sources say that the Canadian Commercial Corporation, a state-owned concern that helps foreign governments purchase Canadian goods, is now involved in the deal," the newspaper says.

The Ministry of Defense of Canada declined to comment on the progress of the drone deal and why Ukraine's request remained unanswered for so long.

"We will continue to look for options for a variety of military assistance to help Ukraine fight and win," said Daniel Minden, spokesperson for the Canadian Minister of Defense.

Author - Serhii Kolomiets, 08/03/2023