Ring exchange with the Czech Republic
Germany wants to deliver tanks this year
05/20/2022 10:03 am
The Czech Republic would like to support the Ukraine with 20 T-72 tanks, in return the NATO partner will receive 15 Leopard tanks from Germany. Deliveries are scheduled to start this year. Germany also wants to deepen cooperation with the Czech armed forces.
For the handover of tanks to Ukraine, the NATO partner Czech Republic should be quickly equipped with Leopard 2 tanks from Germany. “Delivery is scheduled to begin this year and will also include a 30-day supply of 120 mm ammunition,” the German Ministry of Defense told the responsible officials in the Bundestag. “Equipment and ammunition come from industry stocks and are financed by the Federal Republic of Germany. The Czech Republic is responsible for subsequent supply.”
The Czech Republic intends to provide Ukraine with significant support by donating 20 T-72 main battle tanks from its own stocks. “In a first step, the Czech Republic is to receive 14 Leopard 2 A4 main battle tanks and a Leopard 2-based recovery vehicle as a replacement for its own delivery,” it says. In addition to providing material support for Ukraine itself, the aim of the Federal Government is to intensify the expansion of bilateral cooperation with the Czech Republic, particularly in the area of cooperation between the armed forces and capability development and armaments cooperation, the letter says.
A binational agreement should therefore include both cooperation in operation and training, as well as “joint capability development and armaments cooperation”. “For example, joint exercises should be considered, later possibly temporary troop presence on a rotation basis and support for a possible modernization of the Czech battle tanks as well as other procurements.”