OTTAWA: Canada said on Thursday that it will send four fully operational Leopard heavy tanks to Ukraine along with the United States, Germany, and other nations to fight Russian forces.
Defense Minister Anita Anand said at a news conference, "These four tanks are combat-ready and will be deployed over the coming weeks." She also said that the number of tanks Canada provides could eventually increase.
She stated that Canada will send specialists to instruct Ukrainian soldiers on how to operate the tanks.
Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, has pressed Western allies to provide heavy tanks, and this week, a growing number of Western allies have responded.
Despite intense pressure from other European nations, Germany agreed to supply Ukraine with 14 of the potent tanks. Sweden stated that it had not ruled out following Norway's announcement on Wednesday that it would send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Wednesday, US President Joe Biden made the announcement that his administration will deliver 31 top-of-the-line M1 Abrams battle tanks to Ukraine. However, delivery may not take place until the following year.
Due to their widespread use, spare parts and ammunition for the German-built Leopard 2 battle tanks can be easily obtained. They are regarded as one of the best-performing tank models in the world.
The initial hesitation of Ukraine's allies to provide Kiev with heavy tanks was due to their fear of a military escalation with Moscow. However, the Canadian minister stated on Thursday that Ukraine's allies "must show their unity" and that "the reality of this war has changed."
Anand stated, "Thanks to their excellent mobility, firepower, and resistance, these heavily armored and highly protected vehicles offer soldiers a tactical advantage on the battlefield."
There are 82 German-made Leopard tanks in Canada, but not all are ready for combat.
