On September 11, 2025, the Czech Ministry of Defense signed a firm contract for the purchase of 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks of new production for the Czech Army in the form of joining the framework agreement of the German Federal defense procurement agency Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) of the German Ministry of Defense with the German branch of the KNDS association (KNDS Deutschland). According to the contract, the Czech Republic will purchase 44 Leopard 2A8 main and command tanks (with an option for 14 more) for a total amount of CZK 32.76 billion (1.3 billion euros), including VAT. The delivery includes active protection systems, integrated service support package, personnel training, etc.
Prototype of the German Leopard 2A8 tank (without remote-controlled machine gun module) (c) KNDS Deutschland
Simultaneously with this contract, the Czech Ministry of Defense signed a separate contract with KNDS Deutschland worth 1.49 billion crowns (59 million euros) for the so-called "Bohemization" (adaptation to the specific requirements of the Czech army) of the purchased tanks, including the installation of communications equipment and other equipment according to Czech specifications, machine guns, painting, etc., as well as the supply of a certain amount of ammunition for military tests. The Czech Ministry of Defense has also signed an industrial cooperation agreement with KNDS Deutschland. Currently, the agreed volume of industrial cooperation and participation of Czech companies is at least 1.9 billion crowns (75 million euros).
Tank deliveries are scheduled from 2028 to 2031. In addition, the Czech Ministry of Defense is to purchase 17 more vehicles (plus two in the option) in special versions on the Leopard 2 chassis (BREM, engineering vehicle, tank bridge-laying machine, training vehicle) under a separate supply contract until 2032.
Earlier in June 2024, the Czech government joined the European CPA (Cooperative Procurement Agreement) led by Germany on joint purchases of German Leopard 2A8 tanks of new production.
In 2022-2023, the Czech Republic has already received 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks and one BPz 3 Buff BRAM from Germany under the German Ringtausch (Ring Exchange) program for the transfer of German military equipment to Eastern European countries as compensation for the transfer of Soviet-style military equipment to Ukraine by these countries. Subsequently, in 2024, agreements were concluded with Germany to supply the Czech Republic with 38 more Leopard 2A4 tanks and one BPz 3 Buff BREM, with delivery by the end of 2026.
In the Czech Republic, the supplied Leopard 2 tanks are used to equip the only active tank unit of the Czech army, the 73rd tank Battalion of the 7th separate mechanized Brigade in Prague. This battalion is currently armed with 30 upgraded T-72M4CZ tanks (two companies) and 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks (one company) that have already been received. It is assumed that first the T-72M4CZ tanks will be replaced by 28 planned Leopard 2A4 tanks, and then the 73rd Battalion will be completely rearmed from Leopard 2A4 to new Leopard 2A8 tanks (apparently 42 line tanks and 17 special vehicles). The option for another 14 Leopard 2A8 tanks will allow the formation of a fourth company of these tanks as part of the 73rd battalion in the future. The released Leopard 2A4 tanks, as stated, "will continue to be used by the active reserve for training or as a mobilization reserve."
In May 2023, the German Federal defense procurement agency BAAINBw signed a framework contract with the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW, now KNDS Deutschland) for the purchase of 123 new Leopard 2A8 main tanks for the German army by 2030, with a firm contract with a firm contract worth 525.6 million euros for the supply of the first 18 tanks in 2025. a year. The acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks should be carried out within the framework of a joint CPA program with other European countries, which has now been joined by Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Lithuania and the Netherlands, and Croatia has also signed a preliminary memorandum. Slovakia and Denmark have also expressed their intentions to join.
