This purchase follows Germany’s donation of 28 Leopard 2A4 tanks to the Czech Republic in recognition of its support for Ukraine. Once the contract is fulfilled, the Czech Army will operate a total of 42 Leopard 2A4 tanks and two Büffel 3 armoured recovery vehicles, marking a significant enhancement of its armoured capabilities.
“We are continuing the modernisation of not just our tank forces but the entire army. This is another step towards phasing out old Russian equipment while increasing our capabilities,” said Defence Minister Jana Černochová, who presented details of the procurement to the government two weeks ago.
The Leopard 2A4 tanks will replace ageing Soviet-designed T-72M4CZ tanks, which no longer meet the demands of modern combat. The T-72’s limitations in firepower and crew protection have made them unsuitable for intensive combat scenarios, prompting the shift to the NATO-standard Leopard 2A4 platform.
As one of NATO’s most widely used main battle tanks, the Leopard 2A4 provides interoperability with allied forces, access to shared resources, and a streamlined supply chain for spare parts. The standardisation of 120mm ammunition also enhances logistics efficiency within the alliance.
The modernisation effort will allow the Czech Army’s 73rd Tank Battalion to fully transition from Soviet-era equipment to NATO-standard vehicles, completing the formation of a modern tank battalion. The Czech Republic has also committed to developing domestic servicing capabilities for the tanks, with discussions underway to secure agreements with the Czech defence industry.
Source: Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic.
