Canada to donate 800 SkyRanger R70 to Ukraine
The SkyRanger R70 has been ordered by, or is in service with, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. (Photo: Teledyne-FLIR)
The SkyRanger R70, a quadcopter UAV designed for surveillance, observation and package delivery, can transport weapons up to a weight of two kilograms.
Canada will donate more than 800 Teledyne FLIR SkyRanger R70 multi-mission UAS to Ukraine under a CAD90 million (US$67 million) plan announced on 19 February. Canada has been working with Ukraine on a training plan and delivery schedule, with delivery expected to begin before mid-year.
The donation, part of CAD500 million assigned for military assistance for Ukraine, was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during his visit to Kyiv in June 2023 and will complement more than 100 high-resolution drone cameras sourced from L3 Wescam and also donated by Canada.
Bill Blair, minister of national defence for Canada, last week announced that Canada would make a new contribution of CAD60 million to the Ukraine Defense Contact Group Air Force Capability Coalition to support the setup of a sustainable F-16 fighter aircraft capability in Ukraine.
The funds will help source vitally needed F-16 supplies and equipment such as spare parts, weapons stations, avionics and ammunition. Canada has also been contributing to multinational efforts to train Ukrainian pilots.
Blair said: “Today’s announcement ensures that Ukraine has the [UAS] it needs to detect and identify targets which are critical to Ukraine’s ongoing fight. Canada will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
SkyRanger R70 (Ukraine Aid) [Canada]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Egypt orders two C-130J Super Hercules]()
Egypt orders two C-130J Super Hercules
The two aircraft may well be the first instalment of up to a dozen replacements for Egypt’s legacy Hercules fleet.
-
![Hungarian Air Force takes ownership of its first C-390 Millennium]()
Hungarian Air Force takes ownership of its first C-390 Millennium
The move makes Hungary the second C-390 operator within the NATO alliance.
-
![Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 ditching kills one crew member]()
Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 ditching kills one crew member
A ditching is a deliberate emergency landing on water, not a crash.
-
![In focus: UK New Medium Helicopter programme down to one bidder]()
In focus: UK New Medium Helicopter programme down to one bidder
The end of the long procurement process could be in sight as both Airbus and Sikorsky pull out over bid criteria.
-
![Norway awards contract for Bell 412 helicopter modification]()
Norway awards contract for Bell 412 helicopter modification
The modifications are intended to upgrade the fleet and extend their active lifespan.
-
![RTX Raytheon wins billion-dollar contract for F-22 sensors]()
RTX Raytheon wins billion-dollar contract for F-22 sensors
The details of the sensor upgrade have yet to be formalised but could involve infrared search and tracking.
