The Daily Courier

Canada donating four Leopard battle tanks

The Leopards are among the 112 owned by the Canadian Army, which includes 82 designed specifical­ly for combat

- By LEE BERTHIAUME

Canada is sending four of its Germanmade Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine in the coming weeks.

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced the move during a news conference on Parliament Hill on Thursday, making Canada the latest country to promise the heavy weapons to Ukraine.

“This donation, combined with the contributi­ons of allies and partners, will significan­tly help the armed forces of Ukraine as they fight heroically to defend their nation’s freedom and sovereignt­y,” she said.

“These tanks will allow Ukraine to liberate even more of its territory and defend its people from Russia’s brutal invasion.”

Canada’s decision comes after Germany announced Wednesday that it would provide Leopard tanks to Ukraine, and allow other countries to do the same.

The goal is for its allies to provide Ukraine with 88 of the German-made Leopards, which would make up two battalions.

Canada is also providing trainers, spare parts and ammunition, Anand said, while leaving open the possibilit­y of sending more Leopards in the future.

“Although I am announcing the donation of four tanks today, this number may grow as we co-ordinate donation and sustainmen­t plans with our allies,” she said.

Ukraine has implored Western allies to send such weapons for weeks as its forces struggle to make gains against Russia.

The Leopards that Canada is donating are among the 112 currently owned by the Canadian Army, which includes 82 designed specifical­ly for combat.

Canada’s donation is smaller than that of other countries such as Germany and Poland, which have both promised 14 tanks.

Yet retired military officers had also 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.

Anand acknowledg­ed that the government is undertakin­g a balancing act in that regard.

“The number of Leopards that we are donating has been carefully considered in order to ensure that our own Army has the tanks needed to maintain our own readiness to train and to meet Canada’s NATO commitment­s,” she said.

 ?? The Canadian Press ?? Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tanks are shown at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B. in a file photo from 2012.
The Canadian Press Canadian Forces Leopard 2A4 tanks are shown at CFB Gagetown in Oromocto, N.B. in a file photo from 2012.

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