Canada and Ukraine sign a 100-year partnership centred on defence production in Calgary
Mark Carney and Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed 100-year partnership and defence declarations in Calgary. The documents cover joint production of uncrewed systems, counter-drone equipment and ammunition. Canada plans to expand its own drone fleet tenfold under new contracts and send Ukraine one third of the drones manufactured in the country over the next two years.
Geopolitics··Midday
Two declarations in Calgary
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a 100-year partnership declaration and a separate defence and security declaration in Calgary. The Canadian Prime Minister's Office said the first document records an intention to elevate relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The defence text makes cooperation concrete through joint manufacturing, research and technology transfer in uncrewed systems, counter-drone equipment and ammunition. The Associated Press also reported that Ukraine's search for greater air-defence support featured prominently in the visit.[1], [2]
The scale of the production plan
Carney said Canada plans to manufacture millions of drones within two years and allocate one third of those made in the country to Ukraine's defence. According to the Associated Press, Canada's armed forces currently have about 2,000 drones; the announced contracts aim to expand that fleet tenfold. The Prime Minister's Office also announced a defence marketplace modelled on Ukraine's Brave1 platform, connecting Canadian manufacturers with about 400 vetted suppliers.[2], [1]
A long-term framework
The declarations place a co-production letter of intent signed in Kyiv in August 2025 inside a broader framework. The Canadian Prime Minister's Office says the partnership extends beyond defence to energy, technology, trade and reconstruction. While the documents set a century-long political horizon, defence manufacturing is the first field attached to measurable production targets. The Associated Press reported that Zelenskyy was seeking allied support against Russia's intensifying air campaign, while Canada divided planned capacity between its own requirements and aid for Ukraine.[1], [2]
