That was announced by Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand Thursday in London (Ont., Canada) while she visited General Dynamics Land Systems Canada, the manufacturing plant that produces the vehicles, CBC News reports
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Read more: Canada Supply Ukraine with Brand New Armoured Combat Support Vehicles, High-Resolution Cameras for Bayraktar TB2 UAV
The 39 vehicles were destined to be used by the Canadian Armed Forces, but have been diverted by the federal government to the front lines of the russian invasion of Ukraine. It's hoped the vehicles will help bolster Ukrainian defenders waging a grinding war of attrition against their enemy.
The combat support vehicles for Ukraine are in addition to the federal government’s existing $3 billion contract with GDLS to supply 360 vehicles to the Canadian military, CTV News London clarifies.
According to CTV News London Anand explained: “The 39 vehicles that we are supplying to Ukraine is on top of the 360. Those 39 will begin to ship this summer.”
“This government has joined allies to make sure there is a push back against the tyranny of the regime of Vladimir Putin,” said London North Centre MP Peter Fragiskatos.
Jason Alejandro Monahan spoke on behalf of GDLS employees.
“We are proud that vehicles manufactured here in London will be used by the brave men and women of Ukraine to defend their homeland and defend their futures,” Monahan said.
Later Defense Minister Anita Anand tells CBC’s Power & Politics that deliveries of Canadian-made light armoured vehicles will start arriving in Ukraine this month and deliveries will continue over the summer.
As Defense Express reported, the deal for the vehicles was first announced in Madrid last month, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a NATO summit with other members of the military alliance.
Read more: Canada Delivered M777 Howitzers to aid Ukraine
