The Canadian defense minister announced that the NASAMS air defense systems purchased by Canada have already been delivered to Ukraine.

The promised shipment of air defense systems, procured with the assistance of the Canadian government, has arrived in Ukraine.

Source. This was reported on November 22 by Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair.

The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), manufactured in the USA, was first delivered to Kyiv back in January 2023. Although Canada reportedly funded this system, valued at approximately $289 million, earlier in the spring, its delivery had been delayed.

Blair stated that the NASAMS has now been transferred to Ukraine.

“This ground-based air defense system will help Ukraine defend itself against devastating aerial attacks,” said Blair.

“Canada stands unwaveringly with Ukraine, and we will continue to expand and enhance our contributions to Ukraine in its fight against Russia's invasion,” he added.

Ukrainian forces have been utilizing NASAMS systems since November 2022, when the USA delivered the first batteries amid escalating Russian airstrikes.

Recall that President Volodymyr Zelensky stated on November 4 that Ukraine expects to receive the defense system “by the end of this year.”

The delivery of NASAMS comes at a time when Ukraine is facing an increase in Russian air attacks, including a recent strike by a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) called "Oreshnik" on Dnipro on November 21.

Following the strike on Dnipro, Zelensky confirmed the importance of providing Ukraine with Western air defense systems, instructing Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to initiate new negotiations with partners regarding the acquisition of additional equipment.