Canada to send four Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine
STORY: Ukraine has been asking for hundreds of modern tanks in the hope of using them to break Russian defensive lines and recapture occupied territory in the south and east.
The United States was wary of deploying its hard-to-maintain M1 Abrams tanks but ultimately promised 31 to persuade Germany to pledge its more easily operated German-built Leopards.
Germany will initially send 14 tanks and approve shipments by allied European states, with the ultimate aim of equipping two battalions - in the region of 100 tanks.
It said its Leopards should be operational in three to four months, and Britain said on Thursday it expected the 14 Challenger tanks it is sending to be in Ukraine in two months.
Keeping up the momentum, Canada later said it would send Ukraine four of its Leopard 2 tanks.
"These four tanks are combat-ready and will be deployed over the coming weeks. We will also deploy a number of Canadian armed forces members to train Ukrainian soldiers with the skills they need to operate this equipment, pending coordination with allies," Anand told reporters.
