Norway details Leopard 2 donation to Ukraine
Norway is to donate eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks and four special-purpose tanks to Ukraine, Minister of Defence Bjørn Arild Gram has confirmed.
The Nordic country is also earmarking funds for ammunition and spare parts.
Norway committed to supplying Ukraine with modern tanks on 26 January as part of a broader international effort.
The decision to hand over the eight Leopard 2s and special purpose vehicles followed a close dialogue with other European countries and Norway’s defence chief.
Norway will also contribute to the training of Ukrainian tank crews in Poland.
The Norwegian government believes the donation leaves Oslo with enough readiness to meet national needs and NATO commitments.
The special-purpose vehicles will include armoured engineering and bridge-laying variants.
Earlier this month, Norway announced plans to procure 54 Leopard 2 A7V MBTs to strengthen its armed forces
Delivery of Oslo’s first Leopard 2 A7Vs will begin in 2026, with the last to be handed over in 2023.
More from Land Warfare
-
US Army chooses Textron Systems and Griffon Aerospace in final showdown for FTUAS
The US Army plans to procure a Future Tactical UAS (FTUAS) to replace the Textron Systems RQ-7Bv2 Shadow tactical UAV currently in service with the US Army's Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs). The FTUAS is being developed under the wider Future UAS (FUAS) programme.
-
Lockheed Martin signs Australian air and missile defence system deal
Air 6500 Phase 1, worth AU$500 million (US$326 million), will result in a sovereign system that can provide greater situational awareness and help to defend against hostile aircraft and missiles. It will sit at the core of Australia’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence programme.
-
Rheinmetall wins communications deal that could be worth up to €400 million
The systems have been purchased under a special fund which has already been tapped into for the purchase of 60 CH-47F Block II Chinook helicopters worth up to €8 billion (US$8.7 billion) and thousands of Rheinmetall Caracal airmobile special operations vehicles worth €1.9 billion.
-
The Philippines looks to Israel for military equipment amid South China Sea tensions
The southeast Asian country has been enhancing its military readiness by procuring advanced Israeli defence platforms and systems.