OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada said on Thursday it would join the United States, Germany and other countries in supplying heavy tanks to Ukraine to fight Russian forces, with a shipment of four fully operational Leopards.
“These four tanks are combat ready and will be deployed over the next few weeks,” the defense minister said. Anita Anand said at a press conference, adding that the number of tanks supplied by Canada could eventually increase.
Canada will deploy experts to train Ukrainian soldiers to operate the tanks, she said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lobbied its Western allies to provide heavy tanks, and a growing list of Western allies responded this week.
Germany agreed to supply 14 of the powerful tanks to Ukraine under intense pressure from other European countries. Norway also said on Wednesday it would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and Sweden said it had not ruled out following its lead.
US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that his administration would send 31 M1 Abrams high-end battle tanks to Ukraine, although delivery may not take place until next year.
German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks are considered one of the most successful tank models in the world, and their wide use makes it easy to obtain spare parts and ammunition.
Fear of a military escalation with Moscow initially prompted Ukraine’s allies to supply heavy tanks to kyiv. But the Canadian minister said on Thursday that “the reality of this war has changed” and that Ukraine’s allies “must show their unity”.
“These heavily armored and highly protected vehicles give soldiers a tactical advantage on the battlefield with their excellent mobility, firepower and durability,” Anand said.
Canada has 82 German-made Leopard tanks, but not all of them are combat ready.
“These four tanks are combat ready and will be deployed over the next few weeks,” the defense minister said. Anita Anand said at a press conference, adding that the number of tanks supplied by Canada could eventually increase.
Canada will deploy experts to train Ukrainian soldiers to operate the tanks, she said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lobbied its Western allies to provide heavy tanks, and a growing list of Western allies responded this week.
Germany agreed to supply 14 of the powerful tanks to Ukraine under intense pressure from other European countries. Norway also said on Wednesday it would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, and Sweden said it had not ruled out following its lead.
US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that his administration would send 31 M1 Abrams high-end battle tanks to Ukraine, although delivery may not take place until next year.
German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks are considered one of the most successful tank models in the world, and their wide use makes it easy to obtain spare parts and ammunition.
Fear of a military escalation with Moscow initially prompted Ukraine’s allies to supply heavy tanks to kyiv. But the Canadian minister said on Thursday that “the reality of this war has changed” and that Ukraine’s allies “must show their unity”.
“These heavily armored and highly protected vehicles give soldiers a tactical advantage on the battlefield with their excellent mobility, firepower and durability,” Anand said.
Canada has 82 German-made Leopard tanks, but not all of them are combat ready.
