Ottawa, Kiev Sign 100-Year Security Pact Focused on Drones and Defence as Zelenskyy Visits Canada

Canada and Ukraine have signed a declaration establishing a 100-year partnership that includes co-operation on the development and production of drones for both countries.

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the 100 Year Partnership Declaration after meeting on Sept. 10 in Calgary.

The agreement follows Ottawa’s launch of a national drone marketplace for the Canadian Armed Forces in July, Carney told reporters during a press conference after signing the declaration with Zelenskyy.

Modelled after Ukraine’s Brave1 system, the digital Defence Drone Initiative Marketplace is intended to expand domestic manufacturing, including the production of millions of drones, and reduce reliance on global supply chains.

Carney said the platform will form part of Canada’s “largest defence rearmament in 70 years” while also providing capabilities that could be made available to Ukraine during its war with Russia.

“Drones will be at the forefront of our mission to build Canada strong, Canada safe, Canada secure,” he said while addressing Zelenskyy. “Mr. President, I have to confess that our armed forces currently have about 2,000 drones in our infantry. In the years to come, we will need millions.”

Leading Ukrainian drone manufacturers will collaborate with Canadian firms to advance drone technology, while Ukraine will share expertise in manufacturing and artificial intelligence, Carney said.

“As a result, Canadian industry will learn from the most battle-tested developers on earth,” he said.

Carney said one-third of the drones produced through the initiative will be sent to Ukraine for use in its war with Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion in 2022. The remaining two-thirds will be used to strengthen Canada’s domestic capabilities, including territorial and coastal surveillance.

Zelenskyy said the drone agreement would give his country “greater capacity to finance Ukraine’s defence” while also giving Canada “new technological capabilities that have been proven in modern warfare.”

Canada and Ukraine will also work together to develop uncrewed systems, counter-drone technologies, munitions and artificial intelligence technology, the leaders said.

Carney said Russia’s intensified missile and drone attacks have caused significant damage in Ukraine, including in Kyiv, and reiterated Canada’s support for Ukraine.

That support will include a $350 million aid package for Kyiv to acquire air-defence interceptors that, Carney said, will “help protect Ukraine’s people, infrastructure, and skies.”

He did not specify which interceptors would be supplied or the timeline for delivery, but said the weapons would be provided through a U.S. initiative that enables third-party countries to purchase and provide military equipment, including Patriot missiles, to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy thanked Carney for the aid package, saying it is of “utmost importance” to help Ukraine strengthen its defence against Russia.

Carney also announced that Canada will contribute to the Ukraine Energy Security Fund to repair energy infrastructure, increase storage capacity and provide power to hospitals. Canada will also provide more than $430 million in loan guarantees for gas purchases.

Zelenskyy arrived in Calgary on Sept. 10 with his wife, Olena Zelenska, for a three-day Canadian visit. They are also scheduled to travel to Toronto and North Bay, Ont., before leaving Canada on Sept. 11.