The new tanks arrived in Garkalne from Poland by rail, then they were transferred on trailers the short distance to the Ādaži military base, said the Latvian Armed Forces. The number of tanks was not specified.
"The arrival of Polish Leopard 2PL tanks in Latvia marks a significant improvement in our arsenal of firepower. Their presence confirms our commitment to protection, sending a clear message that the NATO multinational brigade in Latvia is united and ready to protect against any threat," said Colonel Cédric Aspirault of the Canadian armed forces, commander of the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia.
The Leopard 2PL is a third-generation main battle tank that offers significant improvements over the PT-91 with improved armor protection, firepower from an upgraded 120mm smoothbore gun, and improved mobility thanks to a better engine and suspension.
“While the PT-91 tanks have served our soldiers for many years, demonstrating their success in various missions, the arrival of the Leopard 2PL is a significant step forward in our operational capabilities in the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia and NATO's collective defense," said Major Maciej Trepiak, senior representative of the Polish contingent in Latvia.