Canada Looks To Ukraine’s Drone Expertise As Carney, Zelenskyy Deepen Defence Ties

A shared determination to defend national sovereignty underscored a signing ceremony between Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Calgary, as the two countries deepened their long-standing defence partnership, with drones at the centre of discussions.

Carney and Zelenskyy met at an industrial site in southeast Calgary for a ceremony to sign several agreements aimed at strengthening defence, security, economic and energy ties between the two countries.

Drones emerged as a central focus of the meeting, with Carney saying Canada has much to learn from an industry Ukraine has rapidly developed since Russia’s invasion in 2022.

“In just four years, Ukraine has built a world-leading drone industry. You’re defining the future of defence and security. Your drones, costing only a few hundred dollars, have sunk warships worth hundreds of millions,” Carney said following the signing.

“Ukraine is constantly innovating,” he added. “Canada can learn from you. We can continue to work together, and we can expand our partnership to defend your freedom and to defend ours.”

Canada currently has roughly 2,000 drones, Carney said, but will ultimately need “millions” as it works to modernize the Canadian Armed Forces and expand its domestic defence industry.

Among the agreements signed, Carney and Zelenskyy signed a 100-year Canada-Ukraine partnership declaration emphasizing economic, security and political cooperation, as well as a joint declaration on defence and security cooperation.

Canada’s Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal also signed a joint statement aimed at strengthening bilateral energy cooperation and supporting Ukraine’s energy security.

Carney described the partnership as being rooted not only in shared strategic interests but also in the long-standing ties between the two countries.

“Canada will always stand in solidarity with Ukraine. Canada will always be with you,” Carney said.

“Canadians understand in our bones the importance of your struggle. There’s no qualification to our commitment because your cause — freedom, democracy, sovereignty — is our cause. And your history informs our history.”

Part of Canada’s drone initiative will also benefit Ukraine directly, with 30 per cent of drones produced under the programme destined for the country.

“Ukrainians helped build Canada, and Canadians will help rebuild Ukraine,” Carney said.

Calgary-Based Manufacturer Among Those to Meet with Carney and Zelenskyy

Following the signing ceremony, Carney and Zelenskyy viewed drone demonstrations and spoke with representatives from several Canadian drone manufacturers.

Among them was Paul Ziade, CEO and co-founder of Calgary-based North Vector Dynamics, which is developing low-cost interceptor technology and qualifies under the federal drone initiative.

Ziade pointed to an increasingly urgent need for affordable air-defence systems capable of countering the growing number and sophistication of Russian aerial attacks.

“They need more interceptors, and especially interceptors that can take on some of the faster and more modern threats that Russia is sending into Ukraine,” Ziade said.

“What we wanted to highlight was very much that Canada is building this technology as well, and so we definitely want to play a part in that and get this as quickly as possible into the hands of the Ukrainians.”

For the Calgary startup, which has roughly 20 employees, the opportunity to discuss its technology directly with two world leaders marked a significant moment.

“It’s definitely not every day that you get to meet two world leaders in one sitting,” Ziade said. “It’s definitely a highlight for us as a company … truly honoured to be here.”

Canada Commits Funding to Help Ukraine

Carney announced the immediate launch of a national drone marketplace initiative modelled after Ukraine’s Brave1 initiative. The programme is designed to give individual Canadian Armed Forces units direct access to nearly 400 Canadian suppliers.

The initiative forms part of Ottawa’s push to establish a Canadian drone industry capable of producing millions of drones within two years.

Canada and Ukraine also announced a partnership between General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada and Ukrainian company Green Tech Harvest to develop and produce drones and related technologies.

The announcements come as Ukraine faces an intensifying Russian aerial campaign.

“They attack us 24/7, and that’s why we need the new tactics of defending,” Zelenskyy said. “Because the best way is to end this war.”

Canada announced $350 million to help deliver critical air-defence interceptors to Ukraine, along with nearly $23 million aimed at strengthening the country’s security capabilities.

Ottawa is also committing more than $600 million to help Ukraine repair and reinforce its energy infrastructure as winter approaches.

The signing ceremony and announcements took place outdoors at SAIT’s Point Trotter campus, where some of the technical school’s remotely piloted aircraft systems training is conducted.

A spokesperson for SAIT welcomed Canada’s commitment to drone collaboration with Ukraine.

“As SAIT continues to expand our focus on the future of drone technology, the federal government’s declaration to increase drone capacity in Canada is welcome news,” said Lynda Holden, SAIT’s Dean for the School of Transportation and School of Manufacturing and Automation.

Following the signing ceremony, Carney and Zelenskyy travelled to Banff, where the federal cabinet is meeting.

Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, are scheduled to remain in Canada until Friday, with events planned in Calgary, Toronto and North Bay, Ontario.