Norway to buy 54 next generation Leopard 2 tanks

Norway donates eight Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine

Norway will provide Ukraine with eight Leopard 2 main battle tanks as well as ammunition, spare parts and up to four support vehicles, the Norwegian government announced on Tuesday, quantifying a contribution that had already been announced.

The delivery date for the tanks was not given in the Norwegian Defense Ministry’s statement, but Minister Björn Arild Gram, who is currently in Brussels for a donors’ meeting, told Norwegian media it was imminent.

Norway will also pay 250 million kroner (23 million euros) to the European Peace Facility, a fund set up by the European Union – of which the Scandinavian country is not a member – to finance military aid to Ukraine.

The Norwegian envelope is used to purchase additional ammo and spare parts for donated tanks.

Like several European capitals, Oslo had pledged to provide Kiev Leopard 2s, but did not specify the number.

The Norwegian Army has 36 Leopard 2s in service today.

“The situation in Ukraine is approaching a critical phase and they depend on extensive and prompt Western assistance,” Gram said in the statement.

“We will also contribute to the training and education of Ukrainian tank crews in Poland together with other allied countries. This donation is an important and much-requested contribution,” he added.

Last week the centre-left government announced an order for 54 new next-generation Leopard 2 tanks – Type 2A7s – to replace their aging armour. These will be delivered from 2026.

He also unveiled a five-year (2023-2027) multi-year 75 billion kroner ($6.7 billion) civilian and military aid package to Ukraine, which is currently being refined as part of negotiations with other political parties.