The Czech Republic will thus formally join the German Ministry of Defence’s framework agreement with the manufacturer KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. The agreement foresees significant participation of the Czech defence industry, with strong potential for further growth.
“Tanky jsou nezbytnou součástí těžké brigády. Uzavřením dohody na pořízení nejmodernějších strojů Leopard 2A8 naplňujeme nejen náš závazek vůči spojencům v Severoatlantické alianci, ale zejména napravujeme dluh vůči naší vlastní obranyschopnosti,“ uvedla ministryně obrany Jana Černochová.
In the first phase, 44 command and combat tanks will be purchased for 1.29 billion EUR including VAT, with an inflation and exchange rate reserve set at 197 million EUR. A contract for the so-called “Czech adaptation” of these tanks worth 59 million EUR including VAT will also be concluded directly with KNDS.
The purchase price of the 44 tanks includes self-protection and mine protection systems as well as integrated logistical support, spare parts, documentation and training. The framework agreement allows for up to 58 tanks in total, with the remaining 14 to be bought depending on the Ministry’s financial capacity.
The Ministry of Defence also plans to acquire up to 19 tanks in four additional variants – engineering, recovery, bridge-laying and driver training – under a separate contract. In total, the Czech Army will receive between 61 and 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks in six versions.
The tanks are being procured under the same conditions and in the same configuration as the German Army, with exceptions limited to communication systems, camouflage, national markings and machine guns. These adjustments form part of the Czech adaptation, which also includes ammunition for troop testing.
„Tanky mají na moderním bojišti i nadále své nezpochybnitelné místo a jsou nezbytnou součástí moderní armády. Kvalita tanku Leopard 2A8 – od palebné síly přes ochranu posádky až po technologickou vyspělost – zajistí, že Armáda ČR získá špičkový nástroj pro obranu státu,“ poznamenal po jednání kolegia náčelník generálního štábu Karel Řehka.
The government had already approved the first step towards joining the common procurement agreement with Germany in June 2022. The shared approach brings both financial and administrative savings, while the established framework shortens processes and ensures delivery of the first tanks in 2028, with supplies planned until 2031.
Joint procurement with Germany and potentially other states reduced the unit price of the tanks, giving the Czech Army access to the Leopard 2A8 under the same conditions as the Bundeswehr. The Ministry of Defence describes this as the most cost-effective way to acquire the tanks.
Industrial cooperation with Czech companies remains a key priority of the Ministry. A cooperation agreement with KNDS will be signed no later than the day of the main contract, with at least eleven Czech firms participating.
Czech companies will produce selected components, localising parts of the supply chain, and will also be involved in production for other customers of the Leopard 2A8. The agreed level of industrial cooperation currently amounts to at least 75 million EUR, with the prospect of substantial further growth as deliveries progress.
Source: Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic.
