Ukraine is still waiting for the promised shipment of over two dozen refurbished light armored vehicles from Canada, as revealed by CBC News. Despite the Department of National Defence handing over the decommissioned vehicles to a company in Ontario for reconstruction nearly two years ago, the vehicles are stuck in administrative and corporate processes.
The fate of the restoration contract, acknowledged during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Ottawa and estimated to be valued between $150 million and $250 million, is currently shrouded in secrecy. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had announced the initiative to supply Ukraine with both new and refurbished Canadian Armed Forces armored vehicles, emphasizing Canada’s collaboration with the local industry for this endeavor.
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) included the plan in its spring 2025 quarterly report, referring to it as “defense vehicles” produced by a Canadian exporter. However, the contract, confirmed to be with Armatec Survivability in Dorchester, Ont., was omitted from the subsequent quarterly report in June 2025.
Both CCC and the Department of National Defence have refrained from providing explanations for the delay or clarifying the contract’s current status, despite multiple inquiries from CBC News. The federal government imposed a non-disclosure agreement on the company during negotiations, raising concerns among critics like Conservative defense critic James Bezan, who believes the deal has been abandoned.
Bezan visited Armatec’s facility and highlighted the advanced features of the demonstration vehicle built for the Ukraine project, emphasizing the company’s innovative restoration process. He expressed disappointment over the delay and potential cancellation of the agreement, considering it contradictory to the promises made by the Canadian government to support Ukraine and strengthen the domestic defense industry.
Confidentiality constraints have been cited as the reason for the lack of transparency regarding the contract’s progress. While questions about the contract status remain unanswered, the government reiterated its commitment to supporting Ukraine with military aid. Armatec, citing confidentiality as well, expressed readiness to provide infantry fighting vehicle upgrades to allies in support of defense efforts.
Notably, the Department of National Defence acknowledged having numerous decommissioned armored vehicles available for repurposing. Ukrainian officials have expressed urgency in receiving the promised military assistance, emphasizing the importance of timely delivery of aid packages from Canada.
