Category: KB

October 20, 2024 – Naples, Italy – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

Today, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, concluded a successful visit to Europe where he participated in a meeting of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministers as well as the first-ever G7 Defence Ministers’ Meeting (DMM).

During the NATO DMM meeting from October 17 to 18, hosted by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Minister Blair announced a commitment of over $60 million in military assistance to Ukraine. This package includes the procurement of small arms and ammunition from Canadian industry, Canadian-made personal protective equipment and military uniforms for 30,000 women Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) soldiers and $5 million towards the Drone Capability Coalition Common Fund. The Minister also announced that Canada has joined the IT Coalition, with an initial contribution of $2 million, that will enable us to enhance our ongoing support and leadership in the realm of cyber capabilities.

As NATO defence ministers gathered in Brussels, Belgium, Allies discussed how best to promote defence measures across the Euro-Atlantic, Middle East and Indo-Pacific (IP) regions, and reaffirmed their ongoing support to Ukraine, with an emphasis on the implementation of deliverables outlined at the NATO Summit in Washington in July. Minister Blair reinforced Canada’s unwavering resolve to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression as well as Canada’s contribution to NATO’s defence through the continued growth of the Canadian-led brigade in Latvia.

During a meeting with IP and European Union partners, ministers exchanged views on the security dynamics in both regions, especially in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. This was an opportunity for Minister Blair to reiterate Canada’s long-held views on building stronger ties and enhanced cooperation between NATO and its IP partners – including Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, also known as the IP4. This was the first NATO meeting to include IP4 partners.

Minister Blair signed a Letter of Intent for the NATO NORTHLINK Initiative, which commits 13 Allies to open initial discussions to harmonize requirements for space-based satellite communications. This will allow Canada to better shape this project to meet its own interests and preserve the possibility of future benefits for Canadian industry.

While in Brussels, the Minister also participated in several side events, including a Defence Ministers Meeting of the Global Coalition Against Daesh. Minister Blair also hosted a Northern Defence Dialogue (NDD) with Arctic Allies, including Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. At the NDD, ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to enhanced collaboration on Arctic and Euro-Atlantic security and defence, and discussed Arctic capabilities, emerging threats and geopolitical challenges.

From October 18 to 19, Minister Blair participated in the inaugural G7 Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Naples, Italy. Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration to address current and future security challenges at a time marked by increasing global instability. Minister Blair underlined Canada’s continued commitment to working closely with G7 partners on shared priorities including military and practical assistance for Ukraine, the cessation of hostilities and peace in the Middle East, countering information manipulation and the spread of misinformation and disinformation, and economic security and resilience.

G7 defence ministers issued a joint declaration which reiterated unwavering support for Ukraine, expressed concern about the escalation of violence in the Middle East and called on all parties to avert war, and committed to a free and open IP region, based on the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes. Ministers further committed to finding effective solutions to the sustainability of military operations and regeneration of forces to bolster deterrence and defence. They underscored their ongoing support for African countries to set the foundation for sustained security, stability, and prosperity.

During this important moment for Euro-Atlantic, Middle Eastern and IP security, Canada continues to work closely with NATO Allies and G7 Partners to ensure the protection of the one billion citizens that NATO protects, including all Canadians.

• NATO is a cornerstone of Canada’s international security policy. Canada steadfastly supports NATO’s principle of collective defence and is providing direct support to NATO missions and operations.

• Current Canadian contributions to NATO include:

  • leading the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Latvia as it scales up to a combat- capable brigade with up to 2,200 Canadian troops;
  • deploying ships on a persistent basis to the NATO’s Standing Naval Forces – including His Majesty’s Canadian Ship Charlottetown to lead Standing NATO Maritime Group 2;
  • continuing to support training and capacity building efforts in the Middle East under Operation IMPACT, including through NATO Mission Iraq; and
  • deploying personnel to Kosovo under Operation KOBOLD.

• At the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Leaders’ Summit in July, Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Blair announced that Canada expects to reach NATO’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defence by 2032. 

• The G7 is a forum designed for frank and open discussion between leaders, ministers and policymakers. As a member of the G7, Canada plays a leading role on the international stage and advances domestic and international priorities.

• Canada assumes the Presidency of the G7 in 2025, and will host the Leaders’ Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. Canada will continue to work with G7 partners on common priorities such as building stable economies, fighting climate change, and managing rapidly evolving technologies.

• Since February 2022, Canada has committed over $19.5 billion in assistance to Ukraine, including $4.5 billion in military assistance. This includes Leopard 2 main battle tanks, armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, and M777 howitzers and associated ammunition. 

• Canada is currently a member of the Ukraine Defence Capability Group’s (UDCG) Armour, Air Force, Drone, and IT capability coalition.

• Canada is allocating up to $389 million to enhance F-16 pilot training through the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Air Force Capability Coalition. This commitment will support training for pilots in Ukraine’s Armed Forces as well as provide critical equipment to support Ukraine’s safe operation of F-16s.

• Canada further contributes to Euro-Atlantic security through our support to Ukraine. Operation UNIFIER is the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) military training and capacity building mission in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). Since 2015, the CAF has trained more than 43,000 members of the AFU under Operation UNIFIER. Approximately 330 CAF members are deployed under Operation UNIFIER in various roles, including to provide and coordinate training, and to facilitate and deliver military donations to Ukraine in coordination with Allies.

• On 24 February 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed the Agreement on security cooperation between Canada and Ukraine, which outlines areas for enhanced bilateral cooperation related to defence, security, stability, and resilience. 

• Through Canada’s defence policy update, Our North, Strong and Free, Canada will spend an additional $8.1 billion over the next five years, and $73 billion over the next 20 years. With the investments in the policy and previously announced investments, Canada will have almost tripled its defence spending between 2014-15 and 2029-30.