Canada will send 39 armored vehicles manufactured by General Dynamics to Ukraine this summer, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said, Reuters reports.

The so-called armored support combat vehicle can be used as ambulances, repair and recovery vehicles or for the transport of troops.

The dispatch of the armored vehicles, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the end of the NATO summit in Madrid last week, is part of Canada's $500 million military support budgeted for Ukraine in April.

Anand told reporters that the armor deal for Ukraine is in addition to a separate multi-billion dollar contract to supply 360 vehicles to the Canadian military.

These 39 vehicles will start shipping this summer and the remaining 360 will arrive over the next few months, Anand said.