TSAMTO, September 15th. The Czech Ministry of Defense announced the signing of a contract with KNDS Deutschland for the supply of 44 Leopard-2A8 main battle tanks for the country's armed Forces.
The binding contract with KNDS Deutschland was signed by the German Federal Office for Armaments, Information Technology and Maintenance (BAAINBw), acting on behalf of the Czech Ministry of Defense.
Earlier, in August and September, the purchase of the Leopard-2A8 MBT was approved by the Board of the Ministry of Defense and the Government of the Czech Republic. Thus, the Czech Republic has officially joined the framework agreement of the German Ministry of Defense with the manufacturing company KNDS Deutschland. The Czech Republic has become the third country to join the Leopard-2A8 joint procurement program with Germany.
At the same time, an industrial cooperation agreement was signed with KNDS, which will ensure the participation of the Czech defense industry in the project. In addition, Lubor Koudelka, Director General of the Armaments and Procurement Division of the Czech Ministry of Defense, concluded an agreement with KNDS to adapt tanks to national requirements (the so-called "Bohemization"). It also includes ammunition for military trials.
According to the contract, 44 tanks, including command tanks, will be purchased at the first stage in the amount of 32.76 billion. Czech crowns. The cost of the contract for the adaptation of tanks to national requirements amounted to 1.49 billion. Czech crowns. The reserve for inflation and the exchange rate is set at 5 billion. Czech crowns. Taking into account the exchange rate of CZK 25.185 per euro used for recalculation, the total purchase cost is estimated at 1.36 billion. euro.
The price of 44 tanks includes self-defense and mine protection systems, as well as comprehensive logistical support, including spare parts, support management, documentation and training. The framework agreement will allow the Czech Ministry of Defense to purchase up to 58 tanks. An additional 14 tanks will be purchased depending on the allocation of funds.
The Ministry of Defense also still plans to purchase up to 19 special vehicles in four variants (an engineering vehicle, a BREM, a bridge-laying machine and a training tank for driver training). A separate contract (or contracts) will be concluded with the manufacturers for their purchase directly. In total, the Czech Armed Forces will receive from 61 to 77 units of equipment in six variants.
The Ministry of Defense buys tanks on the same terms and in the same configuration as the German Armed Forces. The exceptions are communications and automated control systems (C4ISTAR – Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance), camouflage paint, national identification marks and machine guns. This is the above-mentioned "Bohemization".
In June 2024, the Czech government approved joining the administrative agreement (the so–called CPA - Cooperative Procurement Agreement) on the joint purchase of the Leopard-2A8 main battle tank and related equipment. This administrative agreement was a necessary interim step before joining the framework agreement previously signed with the manufacturer. The Minister of Defense was authorized to begin negotiations with Germany on a joint purchase. The next step was to actually conclude a specific amendment to the framework contract and place an order.
According to the plans, the Czech Armed Forces will receive the first Leopard-2A8 tanks in 2028. Deliveries will be carried out until 2031. The bridge-laying machines will be delivered in 2032. The estimated service life of the Leopard-2A8 will be 30 years.
Joint purchase with Germany and possibly other countries will reduce the cost of tanks. The Czech Republic will purchase the Leopard-2A8 on the same terms as the German Armed Forces, which would not be possible with an independent purchase. The framework agreement has already defined production facilities and schedules, which reduces administrative procedures and guarantees the delivery of the first tanks in 2028.
At least 11 Czech companies will participate in the program. The Czech defense industry will be primarily involved in the production of individual tank components. Czech companies will also be involved in the production of tank components for other customers. The volume of agreed industrial cooperation will amount to at least 1.9 billion. CZK (75 million euros).
