The ministry revealed that the procurement of the additional 15 tanks would represent a financial commitment in the lower hundred million euros range.
This investment is aimed at enhancing the nation’s military capabilities, transitioning away from predominantly Soviet-era equipment, much of which has been provided to Ukraine in support.
Should the ongoing discussions reach a fruitful conclusion, the Czech Republic will bolster its armored forces with a total of 42 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, alongside specialized recovery tanks built on the same platform.
Looking ahead, post-2030, the Czech military anticipates having a fleet exceeding 100 Leopard tanks, encompassing both the 2A4 and 2A8 variants.
The Leopard tanks, a collaborative manufacturing effort by Germany’s Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), represent a significant upgrade for the Czech forces.
Furthermore, the Czech government is exploring a joint acquisition with the German government for approximately 70 Leopard 2A8 tanks.
Currently, the Czech military’s inventory includes 30 upgraded Soviet-era T-72M4CZ tanks and several older T-72 models, the majority of which have been contributed to Ukraine.
This gesture underscores the Czech Republic’s pioneering role in supplying Ukraine with heavy military equipment since 2022, including 62 T-72 tanks, 131 infantry fighting vehicles, 16 air defence systems, and six helicopters from its army reserves, as highlighted by Prime Minister Petr Fiala and reported by the CTK news agency.
Additional support has been extended through private sector contributions, further solidifying the Czech Republic’s commitment to Ukraine’s defence efforts.
