Pistorius visiting Prague
The Czech Republic orders 77 modern Leopard tanks
7/21/2023 4:56 p.m
The inaugural visit by Defense Minister Pistorius to the Czech Republic seems to bring tangible results. According to Defense Minister Cernochova, the country wants to buy dozens of Leopard tanks from Germany.
The Czech Republic plans to purchase 77 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks from German production. This was announced by Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernochova during a visit by her German counterpart Boris Pistorius in Prague. This is a very good and a very important step, emphasized the SPD politician. “We’re really excited about this because it increases interoperability, the ability to work together.”
An initial framework agreement has already been signed, and other states could join. The details are still being negotiated. “If more countries are added, the upper limit is open,” said Pistorius.
The Czech Republic is one of Ukraine’s staunch supporters in its fight against the Russian invasion. Pistorius said of the current concerns in Poland, neighboring the Czech Republic, about the transfer of Russian Wagner mercenaries to Belarus: “Where our Polish friends need support, they will get it if the worst comes to the worst.”
The Czech Republic supplied numerous tanks to Ukraine
As part of a ring exchange, the Czech Republic had already received the first of 14 Leopard tanks in the older 2A4 version from Germany. The delivery also includes a Büffel armored recovery vehicle and should be completed by spring next year. The NATO member state will thus receive a modern replacement for the Soviet-designed T72 tanks delivered to Ukraine.
Pistorius was the first German Defense Minister to visit the memorial for the victims of the so-called “Heydrichiade” in Prague and laid flowers there. Cernochova was touched by the gesture. “Heydrichiade” depicts the terrorist measures during the German occupation after the assassination of SS leader Reinhard Heydrich in 1942.