Czechs backfill Ukraine donations with German Leopards
The Leopard 2A4 MBT will equip a Czech heavy brigade. (Photo: German MoD)
Will the donation and sale of Leopard MBTs from Germany to the Czech Republic lead to closer defence cooperation?
The German MoD announced on 19 May that it is sending 14 Leopard 2A4 MBTs and a single armoured recovery vehicle to the Czech Republic. The donation aims at supporting the readiness of its neighbour’s armed forces as the Czech government has been shipping several heavy weapons to Ukraine.
A contract to formalise the donation will be sealed this summer and the first Leopard 2A4 will be delivered up to six months after the agreement is signed.
The tanks will come from German defence industry stocks. The package that will be sent to the Czech Army also includes spare parts and ammunition. Germany
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Land Warfare
-
![World Defense Show 2026: DOK-ING working on MV-8 variants and reveals specs ahead of Eurosatory]()
World Defense Show 2026: DOK-ING working on MV-8 variants and reveals specs ahead of Eurosatory
The Croatian company began the development of the MV-8 modular uncrewed platform in the early 2020s. Specifications for the vehicle were revealed to Shephard at World Defense Show 2026.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Turkish and European industries will cooperate, says Aselsan boss]()
World Defense Show 2026: Turkish and European industries will cooperate, says Aselsan boss
Aselsan was formed 50 years ago in response to difficulties Turkey was facing in sourcing major systems internationally. While some challenges still remain, company president Ahmet Akyol believes a rapprochement is possible.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Russia reveals details of new loitering munition]()
World Defense Show 2026: Russia reveals details of new loitering munition
The Kalashnikov RUS-PE cannister-launched man-portable loitering munition was displayed as a model at World Defense Show 2026 with a company official telling Shephard it was “in service and in low-rate initial production”.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: MARSS displays new Nation Shield air defence C2 system]()
World Defense Show 2026: MARSS displays new Nation Shield air defence C2 system
Nation Shield is the latest iteration of the MARSS C2 system and is designed to provide C2 further forward along with more capable air defence.
