Stag Special

Defence Minister Anita Anand announced Canada will supply Ukraine with four Leopard 2 main battle tanks from the Canadian Armed Forces’ (CAF) inventory.

The Defence Minister also announced Canada will provide ammunition, spare parts, and will deploy CAF members to train Ukrainian soldiers on the use of these tanks in a third country.

This donation responds to Ukraine’s urgent request for tanks — a call which was reiterated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov during a recent meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Germany.

Canada’s donation is also the result of extensive co-ordination with Allies and partners, who are also planning to donate Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, among other Western battle tanks. Canada will work with like-minded Allies on discussions relating to tank fleet donations and a sustainment strategy for Ukraine.

“During my visit to Ukraine last week, I told Ukraine’s Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov that Canada will continue to provide Ukraine with the military aid that it needs to fight and win. Today’s announcement is proof of our enduring commitment,” said Anand. “In co-ordination with our Allies and partners, we will supply Leopard 2 tanks, sustainment, and training on their use in response to Ukraine’s urgent requests. Canada stands firmly with Ukraine in defence of freedom and democracy.”

The Leopard 2 is the main battle tank of the CAF and of several Allies and partners. These heavily armoured and highly protected vehicles provide soldiers with a tactical advantage on the battlefield, thanks to their excellent mobility, firepower, and survivability.

The Leopard 2 is an outstanding battle tank which serves the Canadian Army (CA) well. The donation of CA Leopard 2 tanks, combined with donations by Allies and partners, will significantly help the Armed Forces of Ukraine as they fight heroically to defend their nation’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Canada has already committed well over $1-billion in military aid to Ukraine, and Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine as it fights Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war.

Quick Facts

• Since the beginning of 2022, Canada has committed more than $5-billion in direct financial, military, humanitarian, and other assistance to Ukraine.

• Since February 2022, Canada has committed more than $1-billion in military assistance donations to Ukraine. This includes more than 200 Senator Armoured Personnel Carriers, a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) with associated munitions, 39 armoured combat support vehicles, anti-tank weapons, small arms, M777 Howitzers and associated ammunition, high-resolution drone cameras, and more.

• On January 10, the Minister of National Defence announced Canada is purchasing a National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) and associated munitions from the United States to donate to Ukraine. This high priority acquisition is the first Canadian donation of an air defence system to Ukraine. This will assist Ukraine’s efforts to protect population centres, critical infrastructure, and military targets.

• Since late March 2022, the CAF has been assisting with the delivery of military aid for Ukraine within Europe from Canada and on behalf of our Allies and partners, transporting over six million pounds of military donations to date.

• CAF personnel are currently deployed to both the United Kingdom (UK) and Poland to assist with the training of members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine under Operation UNIFIER, Canada’s military training and capacity building mission in support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

• Since the start of Op UNIFIER in 2015, the CAF has trained more than 35,000 members of the security forces of Ukraine in battlefield tactics and advanced military skills.

A Leopard tank from Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) involved in EX MAPLE RESOLVE at 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Wainwright, Alberta in 2021. Photo Cpl Rachael Allen/CAF Combat Camera

Two Leopard 2s — 1x A4, 1x A4M — were loaded onto low beds at Garrison Edmonton in 2021 for transport to CFB Wainwright for participation on Ex AGILE RAM followed by Ex MAPLE RESOLVE. Oilfield tractor-trailers were contracted to support the extreme weight of the tanks – approximately 63 tonnes for the A4M platform. Canada is sending four Leopard 2s to Ukraine, which is also receiving tanks from Poland, Germany and United States to help in defending against Russia’s February 2022 invasion of her neighbour. Photos Capt Ryan Bartlette/1CMBG PAO