New York, 26 January 2023 (dpa/MIA) – Following Wednesday’s announcements that the US and Germany would send sophisticated tanks to Ukraine, Canada said on Thursday it would export four German-made Leopard tanks to the war-torn country.

The delivery will take place “in the coming weeks”, Defence Minister Anita Anand said at a press conference in the Canadian capital on Thursday. In addition, Canadian soldiers will support their Ukrainian counterparts in commissioning the tanks.

Canada is considering sending more tanks at a later date, she added.

On Wednesday, the German government announced it would send 14 Leopard 2A6 main battle tanks to the Ukrainians as a first step and would issue export permits to other countries to send their Leopards there.

The US agreed to send 31 of its M1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.