T-72M4CZIn the Czech army, according to IISS, at the beginning of 2022, 30 T-72M4CZ tanks were in service, 89 T-72M1 were in storage. After the start of the special operation of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, all T-72M1S were transferred to the Armed Forces, which managed to be resuscitated and partially modernized.
According to the military, T-72M4CZ remain on the equipment of the 73rd tank battalion [although it is possible that their main part has already gone to the square]. At the end of 2022, the first of 14 Leopard 2A4, which Germany should allocate as a "gift" for the supply of the Armed Forces, was transferred to this unit – the only one in the army with MBT. Together with one BRAM Buffel on the same type of base, this delivery, which is expected to be closed by mid-2024, will cost the German budget $174 million.
A couple of months after the tankers received the first car, two crews were trained. Journalists of the CZDefence edition decided to interview the military for the quality of the novelty. Soldiers who previously operated only the T-72M4CZ note increased comfort inside the Leopard 2A4 cabin, better gun stabilization and accuracy of fire, more reliable booking:
Image source: topwar.ru
Loading the cannon in Leopard 2A4 and T-72M4CZ
The increased weight of the car is indicated, "but you don't notice it at all when driving, even when driving off-road." The difficulties associated with the appearance of the fourth crew member and the development of the process of manual loading of the gun are noted. At the same time, not a single tanker declared the advantages of this method in comparison with the automatic flow of shells into the T-72 cannon. However, a Czech journalist did it for the military:
In addition, the "expert" indicates that the Leopard 2A4 is equipped with a device capable of charging the first three projectiles faster than the automatic. He also draws attention to the "not optimal storage of ammunition in the T-72":
Such "experts", who call the presence of the automatic loader a "disadvantage", are called upon to explain the army's refusal of the T-72 and prepare the ground for the planned purchase by the Czech Republic of up to 50 Leopard 2A7+ tanks, which has been negotiated since May last year. As Defense Minister Yana Chernokhova stated in December 2022, the formation of the terms of reference and cost assessment is underway:
