Canada in discussions to buy 100,000 artillery shells for Ukraine

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Canada is within the midst of discussions to buy 100,000 artillery shells for Ukraine in a deal that would price taxpayers a number of hundred million {dollars}.

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Canadian officers have been speaking with their counterparts in South Korea to accumulate the 100,000 rounds of 155-millimetre artillery ammunition, media shops in South Korea have reported. Canada would then present that ammunition to Ukraine.

The Liberal authorities has already introduced it’s spending $98 million to purchase 20,000 comparable artillery rounds from america for Ukraine. If the South Korean deal goes by, Canadian taxpayers may probably pay as a lot as $500 million. However South Korean broadcaster SBS has reported that Canada could also be receiving a deal and that the ammunition could also be supplied at a decrease than regular value.

Division of Nationwide Defence spokesman Dan Le Bouthillier mentioned Canada was dedicated to offering army support to Ukraine. “As a normal rule, we don’t present specifics on ongoing exploratory work with companions,” he mentioned Tuesday.

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A South Korean official instructed the Korea Herald every day newspaper that the federal government had not but formally begun procedures to proceed with the export of the ammunition. South Korea’s army has been reviewing whether or not it’s able to supplying the artillery shells in gentle of its weapons shares and readiness posture, the media outlet reported.

The Liberal authorities has already supplied Ukraine with Canadian Forces M777 artillery weapons that may use the 155-mm ammunition.

Apart from artillery, Canada has shipped Carl Gustaf anti-tank techniques, grenades and drone cameras to Ukraine. In February, it additionally despatched a cargo that included .50-calibre sniper rifles geared up with silencers, 60-millimetre mortars, grenade launchers, pistols, ammunition, thermal-imaging binoculars, cameras, scopes and medical provides. The gear was sufficient to equip a power of between 500 and 600 personnel. The cargo additionally included C6 and C9 machine weapons, that are utilized by the Canadian Forces.

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NATO nations have been sending giant quantities of weapons to Ukraine because the Feb. 24 invasion of that nation by Russia. Some NATO officers view the struggle as a chance to both power regime change in Russia or to significantly weaken that nation militarily.

As well as, NATO’s push to ship billions of {dollars} in weapons to Ukraine has meant a windfall for primarily American defence corporations because the U.S., Canada, and different nations will finally should replenish their shares. New orders have already been positioned by the U.S. Pentagon for missiles and different gear. The Pentagon has estimated it would finally present Ukraine with round $20 billion in army support.

Canadian Chief of the Defence Employees Gen. Wayne Eyre has referred to as on defence firms to go to a war-time manufacturing footing so extra weapons will be acquired.

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Retired Canadian defence chief Gen. Rick Hillier has additionally referred to as on Canada to donate 250 of its 600 gentle armoured automobiles to Ukraine. Hillier instructed the Nationwide Put up that the dearth of operational readiness within the Canadian Forces meant the military was unlikely to deploy any time quickly and would have loads of gentle armoured automobiles left. The Canadian Military has countered that its items are operationally prepared and are ready to deal with any missions outlined by the federal authorities.

As well as, retired generals Hillier, Andrew Leslie and Dean Milner have all claimed the Carl Gustaf anti-tank techniques that Canada supplied to Ukraine are out of date. Ukraine army officers, nevertheless, have confirmed they used the Carl Gustafs to destroy Russian tanks.

The Ukraine struggle has additionally been highlighted by retired Canadian generals, in addition to lecturers and analysts who obtain funding from the defence trade, as a motive to considerably enhance Canada’s army price range.