Ukraine is still waiting for the promised over two dozen refurbished light armored vehicles from Canada, as per recent information from CBC News. The vehicles are currently held up in administrative and corporate processes, despite the fact that the Department of National Defence had transferred the decommissioned vehicles to a company in Ontario for reconstruction almost two years ago.
The fate of the restoration contract, which was publicly acknowledged during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s notable visit to Ottawa and was estimated to be valued between $150 million and $250 million, is now surrounded by secrecy.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously mentioned that in addition to the new light armored vehicles, his government was collaborating with Canadian industry to provide Ukraine with refurbished Canadian Armed Forces armored vehicles. This initiative was part of various efforts by Canada to support Ukraine through different resources, innovative coalitions, and military stocks.
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) had listed the plan in its spring 2025 quarterly report under the label “defense vehicles” from a “Canadian exporter.” However, the contract with Armatec Survivability in Dorchester, Ont., which was confirmed by CBC News, was removed from the subsequent quarterly report listing.
Both CCC and the Department of National Defence (DND) have declined to explain the delay or provide details regarding the contract despite multiple inquiries from CBC News. The federal government had imposed a non-disclosure agreement on the company during negotiations, leading some to believe that the deal may have been canceled.
Conservative defence critic James Bezan expressed his skepticism about the deal’s status, indicating confusion and disappointment over the lack of transparency. He highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and strengthening Canada’s defense industry, which now appears to be in question due to the delay in delivering the promised vehicles.
Confidentiality constraints have been cited by both the commercial corporation and the Defence Department for not disclosing information about the contract’s current status. The Defense Minister’s office reiterated Canada’s support for Ukraine and the commitment to providing timely military aid, emphasizing ongoing discussions with Armatec.
Armatec, while citing confidentiality, expressed readiness to supply infantry fighting vehicle upgrades to allies, emphasizing Canadian innovation and technology in support of defense efforts. Despite the challenges, Ukraine remains hopeful that the military assistance pledged by the Canadian government will be fulfilled promptly.