Canada's Leopard 2 tanks arrive in Latvia to bolster growing NATO mission
The Canadian Armed Forces has completed its promised deployment of 15 Leopard 2 battle tanks to Latvia in an effort to create a combat-ready NATO brigade in Eastern Europe.
The squadron of Leopard 2 tanks arrived in Latvia on Nov. 10 along with a detachment of support personnel and equipment, a Department of National Defence spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
The planned deployment was announced in June, when then defence minister Anita Anand said the squadron would strengthen the NATO alliance's deterrence capabilities against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Leopard 2A4M tanks and accompanying support vehicles were sent from Gagetown, N.B., and Edmonton. The full complement of 130 personnel required to operate the newly arrived tank squadron are not expected in Latvia until next spring.
In July, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Latvia, where he committed $2.6 billion to renewing and expanding the Canadian Forces mission to Central and Eastern Europe over the next three years.
The Department of National Defence says approximately 1,000 Canadian Forces members are currently deployed to Latvia, with plans to scale up the Canadian-led battlegroup to a full brigade with 2,200 Canadian service members by 2026.
"This operation is Canada's contribution to the biggest reinforcement of the alliance's collective defence in a generation, and Canada’s largest overseas mission, with up to 2,200 troops to be persistently deployed, more than double the current deployment," Trudeau said.
The prime minister reaffirmed that commitment Saturday, Latvia's national Independence Day, touting the two countries' shared ties and common values of "freedom, democracy, and the rule of law, as well as a mutual commitment to transatlantic security."
The Leopard 2A4M is Canada's most advanced battle tank.
The Canadian Army's fleet of variant Leopard 2A6M tanks is currently undergoing a modernization program to replace turret components, such as optics and fire control equipment, that will largely standardize systems between the 2A4M and 2A6M variants.
"This will provide the Canadian Army with a fleet of 40 modernized Leopard 2A4M CAN / 2A6M CAN main battle tanks that share common components and training requirements, while also improving availability and serviceability," Department of National Defence spokesperson Maj. Soomin Kim said in an email Tuesday.
"The 2A6M CAN will retain the longer 120mm L55 calibre gun, while the 2A4M CAN will retain the shorter L44 gun," Kim added.
A prototype of the converted Leopard 2A6M has already been tested, with the conversion of the remaining 19 tanks now underway in Bathurst, N.B. The work will also include repairing and overhauling mechanical components of the tanks, such as engines and suspension systems.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
DEVELOPING Israel says Hamas deal is 'far' from meeting its demands as Rafah offensive looms
Israel said the terms of a ceasefire deal Hamas accepted on Monday remained 'far from' meeting its demands and warned its military operations in Rafah would continue, even as it sent negotiators to talk to mediators.
2024 Met Gala: Everything to know about fashion's annual soiree
Fashion's biggest night out — hosted at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York each year on the first Monday of May — is both a forever-evolving spectacle and a carefully crafted event.
Concern over speeding in Fredericton neighbourhood grows after 2 teens, young adult killed in crash
Three people – including two teens – are dead, and two others are injured after a crash that has left a greater Fredericton community shaken.