First Canadian tank pledged to Ukraine arrives in Poland

The first of the Leopard 2s that Canada pledged to Ukrainian forces has arrived in Poland, Defence Minister Anita Anand announced via Twitter on Sunday.

“The first Canadian Leopard 2 main battle tank that we’ve donated to Ukraine has now arrived in Poland. Alongside our allies, we’ll soon be training the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the use of this equipment. Canada will continue to #StandWithUkraine,” Minister Anand tweeted on Sunday.

The first Canadian Leopard 2 main battle tank that we've donated to Ukraine has now arrived in Poland. Alongside our allies, we’ll soon be training the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the use of this equipment.

Canada will continue to #StandWithUkraine. 🇨🇦🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/ylO6rQaJWb

— Anita Anand (@AnitaAnandMP) February 6, 2023

Back in late January, Minister Anand announced that Canada would be donating 4 of the Leopard 2 tanks possessed by the country, alongside deploying Canadian Armed Forces members to walk Ukrainian troops through their use.

“In response to Ukraine’s urgent request for tanks, I announced today that Canada is sending four combat-ready Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine in the coming weeks. This announcement also includes ammunition, spare parts, and the deployment of  @CanadianForces trainers,” the Defence Minister had tweeted end of January.

It may be pertinent to note that back in 2007, the Canadian Armed Forces acquired 112 Leopard 2s from Germany during the peak of the Afghanistan war. Currently, according to media outlets, Canada possesses 82 German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks.