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With hulking light armoured vehicles as a backdrop, a defence industry giant in London showcased the first of what will be $500 million in locally made military support for Ukraine.
General Dynamics Land Systems Canada (GDLS) is sending four field ambulances as part of a federal government pledge of support for the nation under attack from Russia. The ambulances are one variant of the company’s London-made light armoured vehicle.
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There will be six more ambulances shipped in July and eventually GDLS will ship 50 LAVs. Canada has already sent 39 LAVs to Ukraine, in combat since early 2023.
“Here you have state-of-the-art equipment that has seen Ukrainian soldiers taken off the battlefield, operated on and given what help they required and allowed to recover,” London North Centre Liberal MP Peter Fragiskatos said of the role the vehicles play.
“This is what these vehicles allow for in a theatre of war that is devastating.”
Sergii Kudlai, a member of the London Ukrainian Centre, still has his father and sister in Ukraine and cheered news of the first wave of LAVs rolling out of London and headed for his homeland.
“That’s awesome, that’s great. We really appreciate the help, everything counts. I’m happy London is involved,” he said.
Kudlai said he remains in contact with his family members there, though hope for a fast end to the conflict has faded. “They’re preparing for this to last a long time,” he said.
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Though the first 10 LAVs will be ambulances, the remaining 40 will be different variants. While GDLS and Fragiskatos did not detail what that could be, LAVs come with weapon systems and can be used as a command post, ambulance and maintenance and recovery vehicle, according to the defence contractor’s website.
The order is part of Canada’s $650-million pledge of support for Ukraine that includes training 40,000 Ukrainian troops, tanks, ammunition, small arms and humanitarian and medical supplies.
In February 2022 Russia invaded Ukraine on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“We have a democracy in need and we can’t allow Putin to establish a presence, to win in Ukraine . . . who knows what that would mean for global security? The implications are far reaching,” Fragiskatos said.
GDLS officials signed a Ukrainian flag and placed it in one of the ambulances as a show of support for the country. The ambulances are expected to be in combat in early fall, after Ukrainian forces are trained.
“These vehicles continue to save lives day after day in combating Russia’s illegal aggression in Ukraine,” said Jason Alejandro Monahan, vice-president and general manager of GDLS Canada.
“We know these vehicles will save lives and we are incredibly honoured and humbled to support the brave women and men of Ukraine as they fight for security and democracy.
“Decisions like this are incredibly important to help Ukraine secure its future but also for securing and creating jobs here in London and across 600 suppliers in Canada,” Monahan said.
There are more than 1,800 workers at GDLS Canada, located on Oxford Street East.
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