Canadian military will get new tanks to replace Leopards going to Ukraine: minister

Ukraine, Defence Minister Anita Anand said.Her comment comes on the heels of an announcement Friday that Canada will be sending an additional four Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine, bringing the total number of tanks being sent by the government to the embattled country to eight.However, Canada’s contributions to Ukraine’s war effort have come amid concerns about the Canadian Armed Forces’ capacities here at home.“I am always concerned to make sure that the Canadian Armed Forces have what they need to serve and protect this incredible country,” Anand said, speaking to The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson in an interview, aired Sunday.“What that means is we are going to be purchasing additional tanks for the Canadian Armed Forces.” Read more: Canada to send Ukraine 4 more Leopard tanks, lays further Russian sanctions Read next: Part of the Sun breaks free and forms a strange vortex, baffling scientists These tanks, she added, might not be exactly the same as the eight Leopard 2 battle tanks Canada gave to Ukraine.The Canadian military, Anand said, wants to ensure it has “the most innovative and modern solutions.”“So it’s not necessarily the case that the Leopard 2A4 is going to be the replacement vehicle,” she said.“We have to make sure that we are recapitalizing with the most up-to-date technology that is interoperable with our allies, as we have done in the past, as we are doing with the F-35.”As Canada works to rebuild its supplies, Anand said she’s pushing to ensure our “priority placement” in the supply chain while “doing whatever is necessary from a domestic innovation perspective.”“So we’re working very quickly in terms of the Canadian supply chain, in terms of international procurement, as well as.