Canada will transfer four Leopard 2 main battle tanks from its Armed Forces to Ukraine.

Anita Anand, Canadian Minister of National Defence announced this.

Such a commitment “put an end to the controversy over whether Canada would transfer battle tanks to Ukraine from its military stockpile.”

“I am announcing that Canada will provide four Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. This announcement, along with the help of our allies and partners, will greatly assist the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their heroic struggle to protect the freedom and sovereignty of their nation,” Anita Anand said.

According to her, Leopard 2 will allow Ukraine to liberate even more territories and protect people from Russian aggression.

“These tanks are ready for battle and will be handed over in the coming weeks,” said the head of the Canadian Department of National Defence.

Explaining to journalists the decision to transfer only four tanks, Anand noted that Canada has 82 Leopard 2 tanks in service, without specifying how many of them are ready for combat use.

Anita Anand also added that official Ottawa is providing spare parts and ammunition for the tanks.

In addition, instructors will come to Ukraine to train Ukrainian crews.

At the same time, the head of the Canadian Department of National Defence left open the possibility of sending more Leopards in the future.

The Royal Canadian Air Force can use its C-17 transport planes to move tanks to Poland if needed. From there, armored vehicles can be sent to Ukraine.

As previously reported, on January 25, the German government allowed the transfer of Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and agreed to the re-export of these tanks from other countries, which also transfer them to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In the first stage, Germany will provide Ukraine with 14 Leopard 2A6 tanks from the Bundeswehr stockpiles. Training of the Ukrainian military will start soon.