The Czech army is modernizing its tank force and plans to purchase 76 2A8 Leopard tanks. Around 2030 to 2032, it should have 120 Leopard tanks of all types. This was stated by First Deputy Minister of Defense František Šulc at a meeting of the defense committee. Šulc also informed the committee about the successful inclusion of 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks in the armament. The Czech army received these tanks as a gift from the German government, writes the website CZdefence.cz. Germany subsequently expanded its donation offer to include additional vehicles and the option to buy additional tanks. “If we took advantage of all these options, our army could already have a completely rearmed tank battalion according to NATO standards by the end of 2025,” said Šulc. Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Czech tank army had 50 modernized T-72 tanks.
Leopard 2A4 tanks are equipped by many NATO armies and can be upgraded to higher types. “There is a possibility of creating ideal conditions for the smooth integration of the Leopard 2A8 tanks, the acquisition of which is currently being negotiated with the German side and which is estimated to be delivered between 2027 and 2030. The possibility of simultaneous use of the Leopard 2A4 and 2A8 tanks provides the possibility of future coverage of the needs of the active backup of the tank army, as well as the creation of the necessary mobilization reserves,” Šulc told the committee.
“Those numbers do not change, that means 76 2A8 tanks in all versions,” said Šulc. To this we need to add 42 Leopard 2A4 tanks and 3 Büffel recovery vehicles on the chassis of the Leopard 2 tank. that means even the special ones,” noted Šulc.
The Chief of the General Staff, Lieutenant General Karel Řehka, reminded the committee that the modernization and replacement of tanks is also a fulfillment of the Czech Army’s commitment to NATO for a heavy brigade. “The heavy brigade must have at least four new battalions, one of which must be a tank battalion,” said Řehka. According to Řehka, changes to the structure of the battalion in connection with the new tanks will require an increase in the number of battalion members by less than 200 people.
Leopard 2A4 tank. Photo: Ministry of Defense
The committee meeting also discussed, for example, the acquisition of grenades. The Ministry of Defense has concluded a framework agreement for the supply of hand grenades with the company Colt CZ Defense Solutions with the validity of this agreement until 2027 and fulfillment up to the maximum financial limit of 500 million crowns including VAT. To date, a total of 281,250 hand grenades have been ordered with a total value of 342.5 million crowns. The ministry demanded at least a fifty percent share of local production in the Czech Republic, but the involvement of the Czech defense industry will be higher, namely 60 percent, the website writes.
“As an Army in hand grenades, we’re in a situation where we don’t have the required supplies that we need to have. And even from the point of view of alliance standards, this is one of those types of ammunition that we need to replenish,” said Řehka. The last publicly discussed point of the session was information on the lease of JAS-39 Gripen supersonic aircraft.
Tags: army plans purchase modern Leopard #2A8s tank force double
