All 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks promised by the German government arrived in the Czech Republic.
This is partial compensation for military assistance that the Czech Republic provides to Ukraine to resist the Russian invasion.
The press service of the Czech military published the photo of combat vehicles on its social media.
The Czech Republic received fourteen Leopard 2A4 tanks and one Büffel armored recovery vehicle as a gift from Germany for its military support of Ukraine.
The deliveries are part of the German government’s Ringtausch circular exchange program, under which NATO member states provide Ukraine with Soviet-made heavy equipment in exchange for Western models.
In May 2022, the heads of the defense ministries of the Czech Republic and Germany agreed on the free supply of 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to replace the Soviet-made T-72 tanks previously supplied by the Czech authorities to Ukraine.
The cost of armored vehicles is about 4 billion Czech crowns. These tanks were in service with Switzerland and Germany and were bought out by Rheinmetall.
Together with 14 tanks and one ARV, Germany transferred the initial package of spare parts and ammunition and will provide three years of service support from the supplier. The arrangement also provides for training for the Czech military.
The first tank passed military tests in the Czech Republic in late 2022. The trial consisted of 16 tests.
It is reported that the military checked the accuracy of firing from a gun, the passability of the tank, and the possibility of using rescue devices introduced in the Czech army.
A second batch of Leopard 2A4 arrived in the Czech Republic in April.
The Büffel armored recovery vehicle will be transferred to the Czech military in mid-2024.