Ukraine eagerly seeks Canadian arsenal with 83,000 retired rockets
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence appeals to Canada for decommissioned rockets to bolster dwindling arms stocks.
Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine’s military spy chief, emphasized the urgent need for various munitions, including artillery shells and ammunition. In an interview with Global News on Monday, he specifically expressed interest in Canada’s surplus CRV7 ground attack rockets.
According to a Canadian military spokesperson cited by Global News, Canada currently possesses 83,303 CRV7 rockets awaiting disposal.
However, Canada has not yet transferred the rockets due to concerns about the safety and reliability of the aging CRV7s.
“We need a lot of equipment, both ammunition, munitions in general, artillery munitions — lots of types of equipment,” Kyrylo Budanov
A spokesperson for Canada’s defense minister, Bill Blair, informed Global News that they must verify the operational effectiveness and safety of transporting the CRV7s to Ukraine before considering any donation.
“We have no concerns,” Budanov said in response to the Canadian’s apprehensions.
Ukraine is not alone in facing arms shortages. In a parallel development, their adversaries, the Russians, resorted to sourcing missile launchers and ballistic missiles from North Korea.
Ukraine has leaned heavily on Western assistance for its wartime endeavors. Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the US has extended more than $43 billion in security aid to Ukraine.
Requests for comment from Business Insider to representatives of Canada’s Department of National Defence outside regular business hours were not immediately answered.
