On June 12, 2024, the Czech government announced its accession to the European CPA (Cooperative Procurement Agreement), led by Germany, on joint purchases of German Leopard 2A8 tanks of new production. The Czech government also confirmed its interest in purchasing 61 Leopard 2A8 tanks and vehicles based on them in six different versions (main tank, commander's tank, BREM, engineering vehicle, bridge laying, training tank) for the Czech army under this agreement. The total planned cost of the acquisition will be 39.8 billion CZK (about 1.6 billion euros) with VAT. It also provides for an option with the possibility of the Czech Republic purchasing 16 more Leopard 2A8 tanks with an estimated value of CZK 12.3 billion (EUR 500 million).
Image of the Leopard 2A8 tank (c) KNDS Deutschland
In addition, the Czech Ministry of National Defense announced its intention to increase the fleet of Leopard 2A4 tanks of the Czech army to 42 units, as well as three BPz 3 Buff BRAM units based on this tank. In 2022-2023, the Czech Republic has already received 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks and one BPz 3 Buff BRAM from Germany from the availability of 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 by these countries to Ukraine. Now, as reported, Germany is ready to transfer the Czech Republic from the availability of exactly the same amount of equipment, and negotiations are underway to purchase 14 more Leopard 2A4 tanks from Germany from the availability. It is stated that all necessary contracts for the purchase of Leopard tanks in variants 2A8 and 2A4 will be concluded before the end of this year, with the start of deliveries of Leopard 2A8 tanks in 2027 and completion around 2030. Thus, after 2030, the Czech army may have up to 122 Leopard 2 tanks and vehicles based on them, which will mean a significant expansion of the capabilities of its tank forces.
It was reported that in the Czech Republic, the supplied Leopard 2 tanks will be 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 already received (one company). It is assumed that at first the T-72M4CZ tanks will be replaced by 28 Leopard 2A4 tanks planned for delivery from availability, and then the 73rd battalion will be completely rearmed from Leopard 2A4 to new Leopard 2A8 tanks (apparently 42 linear tanks and 19 special vehicles). An option for another 16 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, "in the future will 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 main tanks of the new Leopard 2A8 modification for the German army, with a firm contract for the supply of the first 18 tanks until 2026. The acquisition of Leopard 2A8 tanks should be carried out within the framework of a joint CPA program with other European countries, which is now joined by the Czech Republic, Lithuania and the Netherlands.
Leopard 2A4 tank of the Czech Army (c) Czech Armed Forces
