Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tanks are shown at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B., on September 13, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Smith
OTTAWA – Defence Minister Anita Anand says Canada will send four of its German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine “in the coming weeks.”
Anand announced the move this afternoon, making Canada the latest country to promise the heavy weapons to Ukraine.
Canada is also providing trainers, spare parts and ammunition, while Anand left open the possibility of sending more Leopards in the future.
Ukraine has implored Western allies to send such weapons for weeks as its forces struggle to make gains against Russia.
But Canada was unable to respond until Germany agreed on Wednesday that countries could re-export their Leopards.
The Leopards that Canada is donating are among the 112 currently owned by the Canadian Army, which includes 82 designed specifically for combat.
Retired military officers had warned that any donation would have an impact on the Army and will need to be replaced, given that the fleet is already stretched thin.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2023.
