Canada to deploy 15 Leopard 2 tanks in Latvia

16 June, 2023 A Leopard 2A4M tank of the Lord Strathcona's Horse. Photo credits: CF Combat Camera Canada will bolster its force in Latvia with the deployment of 15 Leopard 2A4M tanks.

According to Anita Anand, Canada's Minister of Defense, this deployment is part of NATO efforts to build a combat-capable brigade in a country. This decision was made to boost the capabilities of the military units on the border with Russia.

Leopard 2A4M CAN tank from Company A of the Royal Canadian Dragoons. Photo credit: CF Combat Camera

This cooperation will also have a positive effect on the deployment of the NATO battle group near the border with the Russian Federation.

The tank company will be fully deployed by this fall. "This will significantly boost the capabilities of the Canada-led NATO battle group in Latvia, ensuring its continued ability to protect the eastern flank of our alliance," Anita Anand said. Canada is in the process of increasing its presence in Latvia, where it has 800 members of its armed forces in its largest foreign military deployment.

The Canada-led battle group in Latvia is made up of contributions from 11 nations. In addition to strengthening its units in Europe, Canada also actively supports Ukraine with weapons. As Militarnyi reported previously, during his visit to Kyiv last week, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an aid package for Ukraine.

It will include AIM-7 Sparrow 3 missiles and artillery shells.

In addition, Canada will join the multinational training of Ukrainian pilots on Western fighter jets.