The Ministry of Defence has approved the acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks for the Czech Army, marking a significant step in the implementation of this strategic project. Defence Minister Jana Černochová will now present the proposal, which commits the Czech Republic to join the German Ministry of Defence’s framework agreement with manufacturer KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, to the government.
If approved by the cabinet, the framework agreement amendment will be signed and a binding order will be sent in the coming weeks. “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,” said Černochová.
The first phase involves the purchase of 44 command and combat tanks for CZK 32.76 billion (approximately EUR 1.31 billion) including VAT, alongside a CZK 1.49 billion (about EUR 60 million) contract for their so-called “bohemisation.” An inflation and exchange rate reserve of CZK 5 billion (around EUR 200 million) has also been set.
The price includes protective systems, integrated logistics support, spare parts, support management, documentation, and training. The framework agreement allows the Ministry of Defence to acquire up to 58 tanks in these versions, with the remaining 14 dependent on budgetary capacity.
The ministry also plans to procure up to 19 tanks in four additional variants—engineering, recovery, bridge-laying, and driver training—through separate contracts once Germany completes supplier negotiations. In total, the Czech Army will receive between 61 and 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks in six versions.
Czech tanks will match the German Army’s configuration, except for communications equipment, camouflage, national markings, and machine guns for the 44 tanks currently ordered, which form part of the “bohemisation.” This separate contract, signed directly with KNDS, will also cover ammunition for military trials.
“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,” said Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka.
The government approved the first step towards joining the joint procurement deal with Germany in June last year, as part of the Common Procurement Agreement (CPA). The shared process offers financial and administrative savings, with the next stage now being the signing of the agreement amendment and dispatch of the binding order.
The first tanks will arrive in 2028, with deliveries continuing until 2031. Joint procurement with Germany and other states has reduced the unit price, providing terms equal to those of the German Army and avoiding the higher costs of an independent purchase.
Negotiations with Germany also include participation of the Czech defence industry, a key priority for the ministry. An industrial cooperation agreement with KNDS will be signed no later than the main contract, with at least eleven Czech companies involved.
Domestic firms will contribute to component production, partially localising the supply chain in the Czech Republic. They will also participate in production for other customers and in life-cycle support, with agreed industrial cooperation valued at a minimum of CZK 1.3 billion (about EUR 50 million), potentially rising to CZK 6.6 billion (around EUR 270 million) if deliveries extend to other countries.
