Czech Army set for more upgraded Leopards as part of an equipment swap with Ukraine
The Leopard tanks are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. (Photo: Rheinmetall)
The Czech Army is in the process of converting their 73rd Armoured Battalion from Soviet to German main battle tanks (MBTs).
Rheinmetall is to supply further Leopard 2A4 MBTs to the Czech Republic as part of ‘ring swap agreements’, under which the country has already received tanks in return for older material delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces.
The deal is financed by the Czech Republic and includes an ammunition and logistics package. It is worth around €161 million (US$169 million).
It covers the delivery of 14 refurbished Leopard 2A4 MBTs by the end of 2026 primarily from former Swiss stocks which will be converted to a Czech-specific configuration as part of the project.
The ammunition and logistics package is designed to maintain the operational readiness of the fleet, which will then comprise a total of 42 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and two Büffel 3 armoured recovery vehicles, at a high level.
With the procurement that has now been initiated, the Czech armed forces are completing the conversion of their 73rd Armoured Battalion from originally Soviet to German main battle tanks.
Refurbished Leopard tanks have been the platform of choice for many European countries to offset donations to Ukraine or to replace older equipment.
Turkey is upgrading its Leopards, EuroTrophy will supply 123 Trophy active protection systems for German tanks, Norway is buying Leopard 2A8s, General Dynamics is upgrading Ukraine-bound Leopards and Lithuania has approved the purchase of tanks.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026: RWS launches urban counter-drone ammunition range]()
Eurosatory 2026: RWS launches urban counter-drone ammunition range
RWS has introduced its Urban Drone Defence ammunition family at Eurosatory 2026, offering a kinetic counter-UAS solution designed for use in urban environments.
-
![SYSNAV unveils GPS-independent soldier tracking system]()
SYSNAV unveils GPS-independent soldier tracking system
SYSNAV has launched its LocIndoor Blue Force Tracking solution at Eurosatory 2026, providing dismounted troops with positioning capabilities in GPS-denied environments.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Vegvisir sets connectivity in contested environments in its sights]()
Eurosatory 2026: Vegvisir sets connectivity in contested environments in its sights
Maintaining connectivity in contested environments, where essential networks can easily be disrupted by enemy forces, has emerged as a key challenge in modern warfare. Estonian company Vegvisir aims to tackle that problem with a new Communications Module unveiled at Eurosatory.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: AM General highlights UGV and JLTV A2]()
Eurosatory 2026: AM General highlights UGV and JLTV A2
AM General is showcasing its autonomous ground vehicle and latest light tactical vehicle at Eurosatory 2026, highlighting counter-drone capabilities, modular mission systems and improvements in battlefield mobility.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Arclin and BSST unveil lighter EOD suit as bomb disposal market burgeons]()
Eurosatory 2026: Arclin and BSST unveil lighter EOD suit as bomb disposal market burgeons
Arclin and BSST have developed a lighter explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) suit using Kevlar EXO technology to improve operator mobility while maintaining protection against fragmentation threats.
