Canada and Ukraine Launch a 100-Year Partnership
Canada and Ukraine signed a declaration on a 100-year partnership and a joint declaration on defense and security cooperation in Calgary, Alberta, on September 10, 2026. The two leaders identified joint development and production of defense technologies, cooperation in the drone industry, and stronger air-defense capabilities as key pillars of their long-term partnership.
According to the Canadian prime minister’s office, the agreement sets out a strategic cooperation roadmap covering not only defense innovation but also economic growth, Ukraine’s reconstruction and people-to-people ties. The two countries also agreed to pursue a comprehensive strategic partnership agreement.
Drones and Counter-Drone Technology at the Heart of Joint Defense Production
The defense cooperation being pursued by the two countries is less a finalized joint-production contract than a long-term industrial partnership aimed at expanding co-development and manufacturing. Areas of cooperation will include unmanned systems, counter-drone and electronic-warfare capabilities, ammunition and other priority defense technologies.
The Canada-Ukraine 100-Year Partnership Declaration explicitly identifies potential cooperation in research and development, testing and evaluation, technology transfers and licensing, intellectual-property protection, and the creation of reliable procurement systems for joint-production equipment. The approach is designed to combine Ukraine’s battlefield experience with Canada’s manufacturing and technological capabilities.
A joint statement by the two leaders said the cooperation builds on a letter of intent on joint production signed on August 24, 2025. Ukraine’s presidential office said the countries also plan to localize defense production in both Canada and Ukraine and pursue joint projects.
Canada to Provide About C$350 Million for JUMPSTART
Canada will contribute approximately C$350 million to the U.S.-led JUMPSTART initiative. JUMPSTART stands for “Joint Ukraine Multinational Program – Services, Training and Articles Rapid Timeline,” a multinational procurement framework designed to rapidly deliver air-defense equipment to Ukraine.
The Canadian government said the contribution will be used to secure air-defense equipment and interceptors to counter Russian airstrikes. The specific missile types, quantities and delivery schedules have not been disclosed.
The prime minister’s office said the funding supplements Canada’s previous donation of NASAMS and more than C$1.2 billion in investments in priority air-defense capabilities. Those investments include contributions to NATO’s Priority Ukraine Requirements List, Germany’s air-defense support efforts and the U.K.-led air-defense coalition.
New Procurement Market for Canada’s Drone Industry
The cooperation is intended not only to support Ukraine but also to strengthen Canada’s defense industrial base. Through a defense drone initiative launched in July 2026, Canada has established a procurement market to supply unmanned and autonomous systems to its military and coast guard.
According to the Canadian government, around 400 companies have qualified for the procurement framework, with initial contracts valued at up to C$50 million. The goal is to significantly expand the Canadian Armed Forces’ inventory of relevant equipment, focusing on low-cost unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles for use in complex terrain.
Canada plans to apply Ukraine’s operational experience to its own surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic-warfare, logistics, counter-drone and Arctic and maritime-monitoring capabilities. Cooperation between companies in the two countries could develop into a model that advances both technology demonstration and expanded production.
From Security Cooperation to Industrial Partnership
Defense cooperation between Canada and Ukraine expanded through Operation Unifier, which began in 2015 following Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea. Canada has taken part in training and capacity-building for Ukraine’s armed forces, and the mission has been extended through 2029.
The Canada-Ukraine Security Cooperation Agreement, signed in 2024, also identified joint production, technology exchanges and expanded defense investment as areas for cooperation. The 100-year partnership is being viewed as a follow-up step that extends existing military support into long-term industrial and technological cooperation.
Next Steps: Production Timelines and Procurement Implementation
For the agreement to produce tangible results, the two countries will need to negotiate the details of the joint-production projects, investment structures, the scope of technology transfers, export controls and intellectual-property protections. Expanding Ukraine’s production base during wartime will also make facility protection and supply-chain resilience critical factors.
Canada and Ukraine agreed to consider multiyear procurement and purchase commitments for jointly produced equipment. If long-term contracts take shape, Ukraine could gain a more stable defense-production base, while Canada could develop a new defense market linked to real-world operational demand.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When did Canada and Ukraine sign their 100-year partnership?
The two leaders signed the declaration on a 100-year partnership in Calgary, Alberta, on September 10, 2026.
Which defense technologies do Canada and Ukraine plan to produce jointly?
The areas covered include unmanned systems, counter-drone and electronic-warfare technologies, ammunition and other priority defense sectors. Cooperation in research and development, testing and evaluation, and technology transfers and licensing is also included.
What is JUMPSTART?
JUMPSTART is a U.S.-led multinational procurement framework designed to rapidly provide Ukraine with air-defense equipment and interceptors.
How much is Canada contributing to JUMPSTART?
The Canadian government plans to contribute approximately C$350 million toward securing air-defense equipment through JUMPSTART.
What will this cooperation mean for Canada’s defense industry?
Canadian companies may gain opportunities to develop and manufacture drone, counter-drone and electronic-warfare technologies in partnership with Ukraine and its battlefield experience. The initiative is also expected to support modernization of the Canadian Armed Forces and strengthen domestic supply chains.
