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THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Canada announces additional support for Ukraine with return of national defence minister

Feb 16, 2025 | 11:33 AM

Minister of National Defence Bill Blair concluded a successful trip to Europe Sunday, where he reaffirmed Canada’s continued support for Ukraine.

During his visit, the Minister participated in the 26th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, hosted by the United Kingdom.

“The meetings I had with my counterparts this week underscored the importance of our collective contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as a whole,” Blair said in a statement Sunday.

It was a meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Defence Ministers at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and the 61st Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany.

From Feb. 14 to 16 Blair attended the MSC, a leading forum for discussing international security policy, where he reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.

During the conference, Blair held bilateral meetings with counterparts, attended side events, and met with industry leaders.

While in Brussels, Blair announced that Canada will deliver two more F-16 flight simulators to Ukraine from Canadian industry.

This is in addition to the donation of two F-16 simulators that have already been announced by Canada, to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s pilot training and skills maintenance.

Given the current operational pressures on the AFU’s fleet of F-16s, which limits the number aircraft available for training, these simulators will be especially pertinent.

The Minister also highlighted the successful delivery of two Instrument Landing Systems for F-16s in December 2024, which enhance the AFU’s growing F-16 capabilities.

Blair said that in a time of change and growing instability, Canada’s commitment to NATO “remains steadfast”.

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with our Allies to strengthen our collective security,” he said.

During his bilateral engagements, Blair reiterated Canada’s commitment to trans-Atlantic security, NATO Allies and Partners, and support for Ukraine.