The Czech Republic is further increasing its tank fleet: After the country has already received 14 Leopard main battle tanks and one Büffel 3 armored recovery vehicle each on a Leopard chassis as part of the so-called “ring exchange”, the government in Prague has now decided to purchase 14 more “Leos” in the 2A4 configuration from Rheinmetall configuration.
The first 14 “Leos” have already been handed over (-> Rheinmetall supplies Leopard 2 and Buffalo), of the second tranche (-> Rheinmetall delivers further tanks to the Czech Republic), the first tanks are due to arrive in the Czech Republic this year, with the remainder arriving by April of next year. The other vehicles that have now been ordered are expected to arrive in 2026, and the 73rd Armored Battalion will then have a total of 42 Leopard main battle tanks.
According to the government in Prague, the procurement is necessary “to guarantee the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of the Czech Republic”. Defence Minister Jana Černochová: “We are continuing to modernize not only our armoured forces, but also the entire army. This is another step towards getting rid of old Russian equipment and at the same time increasing our capabilities.”
According to information from the Czech Republic, the contract includes communication and information systems, workshop equipment and materials as well as an initial supply of ammunition in addition to the tanks. The total price is just under 160 million euros.
Irrespective of the procurement that has now taken place, the Czech Republic is still planning to purchase modern Leopard 2A8s.
Here for further reports on Rheinmetall.
