Canada has signed an agreement with the Czech Republic to explore urgent artillery shell procurement for Ukraine. Details are being worked out. However, Ottawa could invest 30 million Canadian dollars ($22 million) for the Czech initiative. Prague has identified non-EU sources for 800,000 shells, including 500,000 155mm rounds. Czech President Petr Pavel proposed the plan at the Munich Security Conference last week, urging partner nations to help secure financing. Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair stated that he has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Czech Republic for this purpose.
Meanwhile, the Canadian government reportedly has not ramped up munition production after receiving proposals from two domestic manufacturers one-and-half years ago. Allies fear that the Czech proposal might provide Ottawa with the wiggle room to defer investment decisions in domestic munition production. Canada requires an estimated investment of 400 million Canadian dollars ($297 million) to boost domestic production of NATO-standard 155mm shells. Currently, Canada produces around 5,000 155mm shells per month. Blair identified “supply-chain issues” as one of the main reasons for the delay.
In addition, Blair announced Monday that Canada would send 800 SkyRanger R70 multi-mission drones to Ukraine, costing around 95 million Canadian dollars ($70.3 million).
