Minister of Defense visits London, Ontario. thank GDLS for Ukraine’s contributions – London | Globalnews.ca

Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand visited London, Ontario on Thursday to personally express her gratitude to the more than 1,800 employees of General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS).

The East London military manufacturer is supplying a shipment of 39 armored combat support vehicles (ACSVs) to be delivered by Canada to Ukraine in light of Russia’s ongoing invasion.

“I was pleased to be with the Prime Minister at the NATO Leaders Summit last week, where he announced that Canada is in the process of finalizing negotiations with GDLS to supply up to 39 combat support vehicles to Ukraine,” Anand said.

“Some of which I had the opportunity to see today and all of which will have a significant impact on the ground.”

Anand also thanked GDLS for the 360 ​​armored vehicles it will provide to the Canadian Armed Forces.

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The intention to purchase those vehicles was first announced in 2019 by then defense minister Harjit Sajjan, leading to a $3 billion contract with GDLS.

“The 39 vehicles that we are providing to Ukraine are in addition to the 360 ​​(that are being provided to the Canadian Armed Forces),” Anand said Thursday.

“Those 39 vehicles will begin shipping this summer and the remaining 360 will also continue to be delivered over the next several months.”

In addition to supplying 39 ACSVs to Ukraine and spare parts to support their maintenance, Canada is also providing six new drone cameras as part of its latest round of military aid to Ukraine.

The delivery of drone vehicles, parts and cameras will cost the balance of the $500 million in military aid that the Trudeau government promised in the 2022 federal budget.

“While our friends in Ukraine continue to fight Putin’s large-scale, unwarranted and illegal invasion of their country, our government continues to provide comprehensive military assistance,” Anand said.

“To help them fight and win this war.”

— with files from David Akin of Global.