Portugal will send Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, Prime Minister Antonio Costa said on Saturday, without specifying how many will be shipped, Reuters reported.

Costa added that Portugal is in talks with Germany to obtain parts needed for the repair of a number of inoperable Leopard tanks in Portugal's inventory of the weapon.

"We are currently working to be able to dispense some of our tanks," Costa told Lusa news agency. "I know how many tanks will be [sent to Ukraine], but that will be announced at the appropriate time."

Costa added that he hoped to deliver these tanks to Ukraine by the end of March.

And the Portuguese defense ministry said it would not comment on the "operability of weapons and equipment systems" for security reasons.