The Czech government on Wednesday approved the plan to procure 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks of German manufacture, announced Defense Minister Jana Cernochova.
In the first phase, the Czech Republic will purchase 44 tanks for about 1.4 billion euros, and they will be delivered in the period from 2028 to 2031. Prague has agreed on the option to buy another 14 such tanks, and the order will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Croatia has also ordered 50 tanks of that model.
Separately, the Czech Republic is ordering 19 specialized versions of the 2A8, so it could have up to 77 in total.
The Central European country is working on modernizing its armed forces, purchasing Western weaponry such as helicopters and radars. The Czech Republic has also ordered the United States (U.S.) F-35 fighter jets.
Last year, it approved the purchase of older Leopard 2A4 tanks and received additional ones as part of the agreement by which Germany compensated for the tanks Prague sent to Ukraine.
Cernochova announced on Wednesday that the Ministry of Defense is continuing with the plan to purchase small arms from the Czech manufacturer Ceska Zbrojovka. The Czech Republic will also arm itself with 18 Supacat Extenda motorized vehicles of the Czech LPP.
