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Canada’s decision to join the United States in procuring National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine highlights the complexities of international defense cooperation, particularly in the face of urgent military needs. It took Canada four months to enter the procurement process following the initial agreement.
Defence Minister Bill Blair stated that this delay did not hinder the acquisition timeline for the advanced defensive systems, which are still months away from arriving in Ukraine.
The conversation about Canada’s participation in the NASAMS purchase began between former defense minister Anita Anand and U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Halifax International Security Forum in late November 2022. This was during a crucial time as Russia had been conducting aggressive missile strikes aimed at crippling Ukraine’s electrical grid, leading to significant civilian casualties.
Anand officially announced the $406 million purchase plan in January 2023; however, the Canadian government only transferred the necessary funds to the U.S. in March 2023, which coincided with the end of the fiscal year. Blair maintained that this delay did not affect the overall timeline, emphasizing that the process required thorough contractual agreements and congressional approval in the U.S. for the sale.
WATCH | Then-defence minister Anita Anand speaks to Power & Politics in January 2023 about the air defence system
Canada buying advanced air defence system for Ukraine
Canada is committed to spending $406 million on a sophisticated air defense system and its accompanying missiles for Ukraine, as reiterated by Defence Minister Anand, who affirmed that the government was collaborating with the U.S. to expedite delivery.
The U.S. could only start negotiations for the contract once it had both its own funds and Canada’s contributions secured. Approval from Congress came in May 2023, enabling the procurement process to advance.
Blair expects delivery by end of this year
The federal Liberal government has faced mounting criticism regarding the slow pace of acquiring this much-needed military capability amidst rising civilian deaths in Ukraine.
According to Blair, the swiftest method for Canada to acquire NASAMS was to collaborate with the U.S. on an existing order, allowing Canada to benefit from the already planned procurement. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the urgency of weapons supplies during a peace summit in Switzerland, expressing hope that the promised air defense systems were already operational.
Blair confirmed that currently, ten NASAMS ordered by the U.S. are expected to be delivered by the end of this year, and Canada’s system would be part of this delivery batch, set to arrive in early 2025.
Previously, Blair attributed delays primarily to challenges faced by the U.S. in funding military assistance amidst political standoffs in Congress that delayed allocations for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.
Defense publications reported that one complication arose when Raytheon, a U.S. manufacturer involved in the project, requested the Pentagon to waive certain provisions in the Truth in Negotiations Act to expedite deliveries. Concerns were raised within the U.S. defense community about how this could complicate accountability regarding cost-saving measures.
Initially, when Ukraine sought air defense systems following Russia’s full-scale invasion, Kyiv was advised it could take up to five years to procure such equipment, a timeframe that officials found alarming. The standard production time for a new NASAMS system is approximately two years, according to Raytheon’s CEO Gregory Hayes.
First systems have 100% interception rate
The U.S. confirmed in July 2022 that it would acquire two NASAMS for Ukraine, followed by an additional six systems shortly thereafter. Notably, the first of these systems arrived in Ukraine just 71 days after the contract signing, showcasing the efficiency of the initial procurement process.
Upon activation, NASAMS systems demonstrated a remarkable 100% success rate in intercepting Russian drones and cruise missiles, a point emphasized by Defence Secretary Austin during the discussions that led to Canada financing additional systems.
According to Thomas Withington, an air defense analyst with the U.K.-based Royal United Services Institute, the ongoing demand for air defense systems reflects a shift in defense priorities not just for Ukraine but across NATO. Withington stated that countries now need to adapt to the reality of increased threats from air assaults, a marked change from the previous relative peace.
Withington noted, “We’ve not faced the prospect of our own countries being attacked en masse with air delivered effects… the situation has changed, echoing the tensions experienced during the Cold War.” He opined that Canada’s commitment to acquiring ground-based air defense systems signifies an awareness of these evolving threats.
The Canadian military is also seeking air defense capabilities for protection overseas, with a recent statement from the Defence Department indicating these systems could eventually protect civilians in Canada as well. Withington warned that the ramp-up in production capacity would require careful planning by defense contractors, particularly in the specialized field of air defense manufacturing.
He expressed optimism that NATO members might soon pursue these systems aggressively to safeguard against the types of assaults seen in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. “It is critical to demonstrate commitment to building robust air defense assets, indicating NATO’s readiness to respond to threats,” Withington stated.
While Blair was not able to provide specific timelines for when Canada might acquire its own systems, he reaffirmed that enhancing air defense capabilities remains a top priority.
Source
www.cbc.ca