Canada and Ukraine announced an expanded defence and industrial partnership to ramp up drone manufacturing, covering the entire supply chain from critical minerals to engineering. The plan aims to establish capacity for "millions of drones" within two years while Canada currently fields roughly 2,000 drones. Leaders said the package includes more than CAD 2 billion in arrangements — including over CAD 1 billion in government defence support — plus interceptor missiles, Patriot ammunition, F-16 munitions, pilot training and cooperation on the Freyja missile-defence system.
Canada and Ukraine Deepen Drone Manufacturing Partnership, Aim To Build 'Millions' Of Drones
FILE PHOTO - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney shake hands after signing an Agreement on Security Cooperation in Kiev. (is associated with: «Canada and Ukraine boost cooperation on drone production») -/Ukrainian Presidency/dpa
Canada and Ukraine have expanded a strategic defence and industrial partnership focused on drone manufacturing, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced at a joint news event in Calgary.
"Today, Canada and Ukraine forged a new partnership which will equip the Canadian Armed Forces with world-leading drone capabilities, create jobs across Canada, and support Ukraine as they fight to achieve a just and lasting peace," Trudeau said at the press conference.
The agreement pledges cooperation across the full drone production chain — from critical metals and minerals to design, engineering and manufacturing — with the stated ambition to establish production capacity for what officials described as "millions of drones" within two years. Canada currently operates about 2,000 drones in total.
Officials framed the initiative as both a national-security investment and an industrial opportunity that will create jobs and strengthen supply chains in both countries. The package also includes broader defence support for Ukraine.
Funding and military assistance
Leaders said the arrangements amount to more than CAD 2 billion (about US$1.45 billion), including a government defence package exceeding CAD 1 billion. The announced support features deliveries of interceptor missiles to bolster air defences, ammunition for Patriot air-defence batteries, munitions for F-16 fighter jets, and measures to support joint drone production and energy-sector cooperation.
"Overall, today's arrangements amount to more than CAD 2 billion — including a government package of more than CAD 1 billion for our defence, primarily to protect our skies: missiles for Patriots, munitions for F-16s, and drone coproduction. There are also arrangements for our energy sector and our joint initiatives," Zelensky said.
Twenty-one Ukrainian fighter pilots are reportedly being trained in Canada under existing programs, a sign of deeper military-education ties. Ottawa also confirmed Canada will participate in developing the European Freyja missile-defence system alongside partners.
With the investments just announced, the Canadian government said its total multifaceted assistance commitments to Ukraine have now surpassed CAD 26 billion since 2022.
Outlook
Officials emphasized the dual goals of strengthening NATO-aligned air-defence capabilities while building a resilient North American and transatlantic drone-manufacturing base. Implementation details — including exact production plans, procurement timelines and export controls — are expected to be worked out in follow-up agreements and industry partnerships.
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