Czech Republic received 14 Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany

Europe, News November 24, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

German government delivered 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks to the Czech Republic. The German-made tanks were provided as part of compensation for military assistance provided to Ukraine by the Czech Republic.

The Czech Republic received 14 Leopard 2 tanks and one Büffel armored recovery and evacuation vehicle from Germany for its military support to Ukraine to counter the Russian invasion.

The consignment was part of the German government’s Ringtausch circular exchange program, under which NATO members sent Soviet-made military equipment to Ukraine in exchange for Western defense equipment. The Czech government sent T-72M1 Soviet-era tanks to Ukraine during the early days of the Russia-Ukraine war.

The Czech Republic’s armed forces said in a statement that the arrival of German-made Leopard 2A4 tanks would allow the country’s army to switch to a modern platform and limit the dependence on Russian technology.

“The new tanks are stronger and provide significantly greater safety for the crew,” the country’s armed forces said on a social media platform.

*^{German-made Leopard 2 tank. (Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons)}*

According to reports, the Czech government also plans to buy Germna-made Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks. Germany’s neighbor is aiming to sign a deal for 77 Leopard 2 main battle tanks.

Germany’s Leopard 2 is a third-generation main battle tank equipped with a 120mm L/44 or L/55 smoothbore gun as well as two machine guns. The Leopard 2A4 version of the tank is the most widespread variant that is equipped with an automated fire and explosion suppression system as well as an all-digital fire control system capable of handling new ammunition types.

Leopard 2 can carry a crew of four and has a maximum speed of 70 km/h. Its operational range on the road is about 340 kilometers (210 miles) while the cross-country range is about 220 kilometers. (140 miles).

The Leopard tank is mainly used by German armed forces and European militaries, as well as several non-European countries including Turkey, Indonesia, Singapore, Qatar, Chile, and Canada.