The Canadian Army has started its quest for a solution to what comes next for its Leopard 2 tank fleet. As I wrote on March 2, 2026, in my Ottawa Citizen article on this subject, the Army is studying options on modernizing its tank fleet with a project that would see the first of the new vehicles operating in 2035. Although funding has yet to be confirmed, the army is hoping to issue a request for proposals to the defence industry in 2030.

Here’s the Citizen article: New Leopard tanks could be coming to Canadian Army.

The new equipment is expected to be initially operational in 2035, Department of National Defence spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin told the Ottawa Citizen. The modernized fleet would be fully operational by 2038.

On May 13, 2026, the Canadian Press News Service followed up on my article with an update of the project. A Request for Information has been issued to defence firms. The Army is looking at two options; a replacement for the Leopard 2s or a modernization program.

Here’s the CP story: Ottawa asks defence industry for options on replacements for aging tank fleet.

Clearly, it’s going to be a while before this project gets underway at a serious level, but I will be monitoring developments for the Ottawa Citizen.

In the meantime, check out these older articles for additional background on the issue:

The myth surrounding Canadian Leopard tanks in Afghanistan (Ottawa Citizen, May 2018)

A farewell to the Leopard 1 main battle tank (Esprit de Corps, February 2018)

All Leopard 2A4 simulators for Canadian Forces are operational (Ottawa Citizen, May 2014)

DND to request Leopard tank funding from Treasury Board (Ottawa Citizen, June 2009)