US, Dutch, and Czechs partner to supply T-72B tanks to Ukraine
Ukraine's 90 T-72B tanks will benefit from advanced optics, communications, and armour packages. (Photo: DVIDS)
The US and Netherlands will each provide funding for 45 T-72B tanks from stocks in the Czech Republic to Ukraine under the trilateral agreement.
The US, Netherlands and Czech Republic have partnered to provide Ukraine with 90 overhauled T-72B main battle tanks, according to a 4 November announcement.
Deliveries of the tanks to Ukraine will begin before the end of December and last through till 2023.
The supply of the tanks will bolster Ukraine’s armoured fighting capacity and complement T-72s already provided by other countries.
The US and Netherlands have agreed to jointly fund a Czech industrial initiative – coordinated by the Czech MoD. The 90 tanks will come from Czech defence industry inventories. While the Czech industrial partners were not specified, both Excalibur Army and VOP CZ list T-72 upgrade work among their capabilities.
The tanks are part of $400 million in security assistance for Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).
The latest USAI package also provides for refurbishing Hawk air defence missiles so they can be included in a future Presidential drawdown.
Other support includes 1,100 Phoenix Ghost UAS, 40 armoured riverine boats and funds to refurbish 250 M1117 armoured vehicles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action]()
How to breach a minefield: from traditional systems to modern techniques in action
The news from Ukraine has again shown that antitank minefields and other obstacles on the battlefield, such as deep trenches, can play a key role in both offensive and defensive operations. Given this, there will always be a need to clear them, both during and after a conflict.
-
![British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement]()
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
-
![DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return]()
DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after operator health issues were reported during an exercise, but manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems UK believes work over the past 10 months has dealt with the problems.
-
![Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions]()
Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
