According to the Czech Defence Ministry, the Czech Republic is currently in discussions with Germany to receive 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks as a gift in exchange for Czech military support for Ukraine. There are also plans to potentially purchase an additional 15 tanks from the German defence industry. The previous donation from Germany saw the Czechs receive 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks, and they also intend to order numerous modern 2A8 versions in the upcoming years for delivery.
The ministry noted that the cost of the additional 15 tanks to be purchased would amount to the low hundreds of millions of euros. This acquisition would greatly enhance the country’s capabilities as it transitions away from its largely Soviet-era equipment, much of which has been donated to Ukraine.
In a statement, the ministry indicated, “If the current negotiations are successfully concluded, the Czech Republic will have 42 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and the recovery tanks on the same chassis.” It also stated, “After 2030, the Czech Army may have over 100 Leopard tanks of two types in active service and reserve.”
Leopard tanks are produced jointly by Germany’s Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. The Czech government has been engaged in talks regarding the joint purchase of around 70 Leopard 2A8 tanks from industry along with the German government.
Aside from the previously-donated 15 Leopard 2A4s, the Czech army is still equipped with 30 modernized Soviet-era T-72M4CZ tanks and some unmodernized T-72s, most of which have been donated to Ukraine.
In 2022, the Czech Republic became the first country to send heavy equipment to Ukraine. Prime Minister Petr Fiala was quoted by news agency CTK, stating that the country has already provided 62 T-72 tanks, 131 infantry fighting vehicles, 16 air defense systems, and six helicopters from army reserves to Ukraine. Additionally, further equipment has been sent through private companies.
(Reporting by Jan Lopatka; Editing by Leslie Adler)
