Czech Republic has awarded a contract to supply 62 TITUS 6x6 armored vehicles.

According to a statement published on August 27, 2018, by the Czech Ministry of Defense website, Czech Republic has awarded a contract to supply 62 TITUS 6x6 armored combat vehicles, jointly developed and designed by the French Company Nexter Systems now part of KNDS and the Czech Company TATRA.

TITUS 6x6 armoured vehicle at the TATRA Czech factory test range. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The TITUS armored vehicles should have been delivered by the company TATRA, but the Company has not received a security clearance, including a license from the French Company Nexter Systems. The Czech Ministry of Defense has take the decision to make the delivery via another Czech Defense Company called Eldis Pardubice.

Since many years, Czech Army has showed interest to purchase new wheeled armored personnel carrier vehicles offering high level protection that can be quickly deployed for modern combat operations.

The TITUS was unveiled by the French Company NEXTER Systems at DSEI , the International Defense & Security event in London, United Kingdom, in September 2013. The Nexter TITUS can be equipped with any kind of Remote Control Weapon Station from 7.62mm to 20mm, and 40mm Grenade Launchers as well, depending on the level of threats and type of missions.

The layout of the Nexter TITUS is very similar to MRAP category vehicle with the engine at the front, the crew compartment in the middle and the troop's area at the rear. The front part of the vehicle and the windows provide a protection against small arms firing and shell splinters, Level 1, STANAG 4569 and Level 2 for the crew and soldiers compartment able to withstand a 50 kg IED blast. The TITUS can be fitted with add-on armor to increase the protection to Level 3 for the engine bonnet and armored glasses, and Level 4 for the crew and soldiers compartment, with IED protection of 150 kg blast, increased by the original Nexter SAFEPRO® design.

The TITUS is based on a Tatra 6×6 chassis which is powered by a Cummins 500 Hp engine coupled to an automatic gearbox with 6 forward and 1 reverse speeds. The TITUS can run at a maximum road speed of 110 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 700 km.