Canadians stand united with the people of Ukraine in the face of the ongoing Russian attacks, and the Government continues to provide the equipment and aid needed by Ukraine during this time. To this end, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, announced further contributions of military equipment to Ukraine as it fights for its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. These contributions include: Canada’s intent to supply additional lethal aid to Ukraine, namely up to 4500 M72 rocket launchers and up to 7500 hand grenades; and a contribution of $1 million dollars towards the purchase of commercial satellite high resolution and modern imagery that will be provided to Ukraine. The additional military equipment announced since Sunday, February 27 will be flown from Canada to an Allied neighbouring country as soon as possible, from which final delivery to Ukraine will be coordinated.
“In the face of Russian aggression, Canada is continuing to step up its military support for Ukraine. To that end, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence are working hard to deliver these new tranches of military equipment as quickly as possible. We will leave no stone unturned as we support Ukraine in the hours, days and weeks to come,” the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence said.
The M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon, also referred to as the Light Anti-Armor Weapon or LAW as well as LAWS: Light Anti-Armor Weapons System) is a portable one-shot 66 mm (2.6 in) unguided anti-tank weapon. American production of the weapon began by Hesse-Eastern in 1963, and was terminated by 1983; currently it is produced by Nammo Raufoss AS in Norway and their subsidiary Nammo Talley, Inc. in Arizona. The Carl-Gustaf recoilless rifle designated in Swedish service as the Granatgevär m/48 is an 84-mm man-portable reusable anti-tank weapon originally produced by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori (that later was merged into Saab Bofors Dynamics) in Sweden. The Carl-Gustaf is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles.
Since Sunday, February 27, Canada has also announced that it will supply the following: approximately 1600 fragmentation vests; approximately 390,000 Individual Meal Packs; a commitment of at least 100 anti-armour weapons systems – Carl Gustav M2 recoilless rifles, as well as related accessories and scopes; 2000 rounds of 84 mm ammunition; $25 million in non-lethal aid, which could include helmets, body armour, gas masks and night vision gear; and Two C-130J tactical airlift aircraft and a team of 40-50 personnel to deliver aid and to support CAF, as well as allied and partnered efforts in Europe. The Government delivered approximately $10 million worth of military equipment – lethal and non-lethal – to Ukraine, which included surveillance and detection equipment, personal carriage and load carriage equipment, machine guns, pistols, carbines, 1.5 million rounds of ammunition and more.
