OTTAWA — The Canadian military recently considered but ultimately rejected buying slightly used tanks from the German and Swiss armies, a spokesman said Wednesday.

A team of staff officers, who monitor the military surplus-equipment market, did talk to both European countries last June about purchasing little-used A-4 and A-5 versions of the Leopard-2 tank.

"They were checking prices that were out there, but that staff check did not go any further," said Lieut. Adam Thomson.

The decision not to proceed was made last summer mostly because military planners had not identified a need for the armoured vehicles, he said.

"That's why they haven't considered it further," said Thomson.

A new Leopard-2 tank goes for about US$6 million, but used ones can be had for US$350,000.

Five of Canada's 42-tonne Leopard tanks have been sent to Afghanistan and another 10 are to arrive over the next month.

The army is also sending two recovery vehicles used to retrieve disabled tanks, as well as two armoured engineering vehicles.

They're part of the reinforcements ordered by the chief of defence staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, in September after Taliban insurgents chose to stand and fight in the Panjwaii district, west of Kandahar.

Instead of facing hit-and-run guerrilla tactics as they had for months, the Canadian soldiers found themselves in September fighting a deeply entrenched enemy in a conventional-style campaign.

It was determined at that time to send tanks because of the added level of protection they would provide to infantry.

Just a few months ago, the Canadian Forces considered going tank-free -- retiring its stock of rough 50 Leopards and replacing them with a lighter Mobile Gun System called the Stryker.