The federal Conservatives are demanding that the Liberal government donate to Ukraine tens of thousands of surplus CRV7 air-to-ground rockets.

The Canadian media outlet CBC reported that the rockets are to be disposed of.

“Canadian Armed Forces has a stockpile of 83,303 CRV7 rockets, a 1980s-vintage weapon that was taken out of service in the early 2000s,” the statement said.

Three years ago, the federal government signed a contract to dispose of the rockets over several years.

Poilievre said he understands Ukraine has asked Canada to donate the CRV7s instead of destroying them.

“Instead of making Canadians pay millions of dollars to decommission these weapons, the weapons should be given to Ukraine who can use them in the defense of sovereignty,” Poilievre said.

The Department of National Defense acknowledged that it still has the rockets and they’re being considered as part of a possible future military donation package.

The problem, according to a defense official who spoke on background, is that while Canada still has tens of thousands of rockets and their motors, not all of them have warheads.

A spokesperson for Defense Minister Bill Blair confirmed that the government is considering donating the rockets.

“Before sending equipment to Ukraine, we collaborate closely with Ukraine to ensure that any donation would meet its military needs,” he explained.

The Department of National Defense is pursuing testing to ensure that this equipment is operationally effective and safe for transportation to Ukraine before any potential donation.

The 70-mm CRV7 unguided rocket is designed for use from various helicopters and combat aircraft.