Canadian Army deploys 15 Leopard 2A4M CAN tanks in Latvia.

As reported by CTV News on November 21, 2023, the deployment of 15 Leopard 2A4M CAN battle tanks by the Canadian Armed Forces to Latvia has been successfully completed, aligning with the nation's commitment to augment NATO's efforts in Eastern Europe. The Leopard 2A4M tanks, accompanied by support personnel and equipment, arrived on November 10, as confirmed by a Department of National Defence spokesperson.
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Canadian Leopard 2A4M CAN Main Battle Tank in a Latvian port on November 10, 2023. (Picture source: Latvia MoD)

This deployment was initially announced in June by then Defence Minister Anita Anand, framed within Canada's response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the perceived necessity to fortify NATO's defense posture. The Leopard 2A4M tanks, considered advanced within Canada's armored fleet, were selected based on considerations of firepower, armor, and mobility.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to Latvia in July served to reaffirm Canada's commitment to the NATO mission. During this visit, Trudeau pledged $2.6 billion to renew and expand the Canadian Forces mission in Central and Eastern Europe over the next three years. At present, approximately 1,000 Canadian Forces members are deployed in Latvia, with plans to increase this number to a full brigade of 2,200 Canadian service members by 2026.

As reported by Army Recognition on October 5, 2023, the Canadian Army is actively assessing strategies for the maintenance and support of its aging tank fleet. The current fleet comprises 82 Leopard 2 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) in active service, including 42 Leopard 2A4, 20 Leopard 2A4M, and 20 Leopard 2A6M, with an additional 52 Leopard 1C2 held in military storage.

The Leopard 2A6M tanks are presently undergoing a modernization program aimed at replacing crucial turret components such as optics and fire control equipment. The objective is to standardize systems and training requirements between the 2A4M and 2A6M variants, with the latter retaining the longer 120mm L55 caliber gun. A prototype of the converted Leopard 2A6M has undergone testing, and the conversion process for the remaining 19 tanks is underway in Bathurst, New Brunswick, Canada.

The Leopard 2A4M, or Leopard 2A4M CAN, is a Canadian upgraded version of the German Leopard 2A4, a main battle tank initially adopted by the German Army in 1977. This variant retains a 120mm smoothbore gun capable of firing various types of ammunition, including armor-piercing fin-stabilized discarding sabot (APFSDS) rounds and high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shells, with a maximum effective range exceeding 4,000 m. The tank's advanced fire control and targeting systems contribute to accurate engagement, particularly at extended distances. Additionally, the Leopard 2A4M CAN is armed with two C6 7.62mm machine guns, with one coaxially mounted with the main gun and the other mounted on the top of the turret.

Concerning protection, the Leopard 2A4M features improved overall protection, integrating advanced composite and modular armor, providing defense against a range of threats, including anti-tank guided missiles and kinetic energy projectiles. The addition of armor modules enhances crew survivability and provides upgraded protection against improvised explosive devices, featuring a mine protection belly plate and cage armor at the rear of the hull and turret.

Powered by a 1,500 hp engine coupled with an improved suspension system, the Leopard 2A4M CAN can reach a top speed of approximately 65 km/h and an operational range of around 550 km. The tank also incorporates situational awareness and communication systems, including thermal imaging and night vision devices, facilitating efficient target detection and identification in various conditions. The tank is operated by a crew of four, consisting of a commander, gunner, loader, and driver, with upgrades to the commander's control systems and driver's viewing aids.