Published February 15,2024
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The Canadian authorities will purchase air protection and anti-drone techniques for about C$273.5 million ($202 million) to bolster a Canada-led NATO pressure in Latvia, which borders Russia, Defence Minister Bill Blair stated on Thursday.
Blair made the announcement in Brussels the place NATO protection ministers are assembly.
NATO has arrange multinational battlegroups in every of the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. The battlegroups are configured to behave as a tripwire for bigger forces in case of a battle.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in an interview aired final week that Russia will combat for its pursuits however has no need to develop its warfare in Ukraine to different nations resembling Poland and Latvia.
Canada instructions the 1,700-strong Latvia battlegroup, which incorporates about 1,000 Canadian troops.
The authorities will make investments C$227.5 million to obtain short-range air protection system and associated tools from Saab Canada, the protection ministry stated in an announcement. The counter-drone tools will value C$46 million, it added.
Canada expects to take supply of the primary techniques later this yr. The buy is anticipated to strengthen the pressure’s capabilities in countering any air assault by fighter plane, helicopters and uncrewed aerial techniques. It will allow detection, identification, monitoring and defeat of small drones, the ministry stated.
Last yr, Ottawa introduced a plan to deploy 4 army helicopters and 15 Leopard 2A4M tanks in Latvia. The authorities additionally pledged to double its contribution with as much as 1,200 extra troopers.
Source: www.anews.com.tr