Norway to send Leopard tanks to Ukraine as soon as possible – defense minister

Norway will send part of its Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine "as soon as possible".

Defense Minister of Norway Bjorn Arild Gram said this in an interview with AFP, Ukrinform reports with reference to France24.

“Norway will send part of its fleet of German-made Leopard 2 battle tanks to Ukraine ‘as soon as possible’, indicating perhaps late March,” the report says.

It is noted that Norway was among several European countries that promised last week to deliver the tanks long sought by Ukraine in its battle against Russian forces, after Berlin gave its consent.

Read also: Ukraine may receive up to 100 tanks within three months – deputy foreign minister

The country has 36 Leopard 2 tanks, but has not said how many it will send to Ukraine.

"We haven't yet determined the number," the Norwegian defense minister said.

As reported by Ukrinform, Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram earlier stated that Norway intends to transfer modern Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine to help it repel Russian aggression. According to local media, the Norwegian government is considering the transfer of up to eight Leopard tanks to Ukraine of 36 they have.

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