Zelenskyy and Carney sign deal to boost drone production before heading to Banff retreat

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada’s military needs “millions” of drones for the modern battlefield but only has 2,000, as he signed a new deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to boost the country’s production and share them with Ukraine.

Zelenskyy met Carney and his cabinet Thursday in Alberta during a previously unannounced two-day visit to Canada.

During a joint announcement with Zelenskyy, Carney announced a new Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace (DDIM) that he said would give Canadian government agencies and their allies “privileged access” to roughly 400 Canadian drone suppliers.

The prime minister said the new deal aims to increase Canada’s drone production tenfold in coming years.

“ This is a key part of our plan to build industrial capacity here in Canada to produce millions of drones within the next two years, and today’s contracts will increase the number of drones available to the cap tenfold,” Carney said.

“Importantly, one third of all the drones we manufacture will go to support Ukraine’s defence of its homeland,” he added.

Carney and Zelenskyy also signed a declaration committing to a future 100-year partnership in fields such as energy, security, defence and critical minerals. Carney also promised Ukraine over $400 million in loan guarantees to help the Eastern European country purchase energy for the coming winter.

Zelenskyy also said this signature was the first step to another “big drone deal” coming between Canada and Ukraine.

“Thirty per cent of these drones will go to Ukraine immediately to battle. Immediately to our people, our soldiers, to save our children, our families,” he said.

The Ukrainian president landed in Calgary with his wife Olena Zelenska on Wednesday evening, where he was greeted by Canadian and European dignitaries as well as Foreign Minister Anita Anand.

He will meet with Carney in Calgary and then travel to Banff, Alta., where he is expected to speak to cabinet during its two-day retreat beginning Thursday. The Ukrainian president then plans to travel to Toronto and North Bay before leaving Canada on Friday.

As is usual for Zelenskyy’s travel during his country’s ongoing war against Russia’s invasion in 2022, his visit was kept under wraps until his arrival.

“ Canada has been and remains one of our closest partners. We value all the support from Canadians and the decisions that help Ukraine stand strong and protect our people,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media while announcing his visit.

“ The main focus will be on supporting Ukraine in protecting our skies and preparing for the winter. We will discuss how to strengthen our resilience, support our people, and ensure that Ukraine has the capabilities it needs to defend itself,”

In a separate statement, Carney said the focus of the visit was “deepening defence, economic, and energy cooperation.”

“It will also address the human cost of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and build on the strong people-to-people ties that connect our countries,” Carney said in a statement.

The prime minister and Zelenskyy are expected to jointly address the media just before 1 p.m. ET.

National Post

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