Ukrainian and Canadian defence ministers discuss air defence and F-16 ammunition supplies

Ukrainian Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara held a phone call on Saturday, 14 November, with Canadian Minister of National Defence David McGuinty about continued Canadian support for Ukraine. The talks covered strengthening air defence and long-range strike capabilities, as well as supplies for the F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine uses against Russian attacks, according to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.

Khmara thanked Canada for helping fund the purchase of PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems through the JUMPSTART mechanism. The missiles are meant to bolster Ukraine's defences against Russian ballistic missile strikes.

Ammunition for F-16s

The ministers focused in particular on what Ukraine's defence forces need to expand their operations. They also discussed deliveries of cannon ammunition for the F-16. Khmara said most jet-powered drones are shot down by F-16s and that 20mm aircraft ammunition is a critical resource. In his words, it is important to receive deliveries as quickly as possible and to shorten timelines and procedures.

The ministers also discussed steps to speed up the next delivery. Khmara briefed his Canadian counterpart on the situation on the battlefield, where, he said, Ukraine is gaining an advantage in drone warfare.

Context

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs to raise the number of F-16s in the air at any one time to two and a half times the current level, because the aircraft frequently undergo maintenance.

Khmara previously discussed preparations for a new aid package with the UK defence secretary ahead of a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format. The UK and Germany will convene the next meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on 17 November.