Anita Anand: Canada to send combat-ready Leopard tanks to Ukraine

Canada will send four Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said on Thursday, after Germany this week allowed other countries to re-export the German-built tank.

FILE PHOTO: Members of the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps School (RCACS) practice their shooting skills from a Leopard II tank at firing point 4 in the training areas at the 5th Canadian Division Support Group (5 CDSG) Gagetown, in Oromocto, New Brunswick, Canada, May 4, 2017. Cpl Genevieve Lapointe, Tactics School, 5th Canadian Division Support Group Gagetown/Canadian Armed Forces/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will send four Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, Canadian Defense Minister Anita Anand said on Thursday, after Germany this week allowed other countries to re-export the German-built tank.

"This donation, combined with the contributions of allies and partners, will significantly help the armed forces of Ukraine" in the their defense against the Russian invasion, Anand told reporters in Ottawa.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa)