Czech Republic confirms donation by Germany of Leopard 2A4 tanks in exchange for T-72 MBTs for Ukraine.

According to information published by the Czech "CTK" news website on May 20, 2022, the Czech Minister of Defense Jana Černochová confirms the donation by Germany of 14 Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and one armored recovery vehicle based on Leopard 2 chassis. This Leopard 2A4 tanks delivery agreement to the Czech Republic will be in exchange for the supply of Czech army T-72 MBTs to Ukraine.
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German army Leopard 2A4 main battle tank. (Picture source Wattpad)

On May 17, 2022, Army Recognition reported that a proposal to acquire German Leopard tanks may be coming to the Czech government this week in the framework of a donation procedure of its own T-72 tanks to Ukraine.

Citing information from the press department of the Czech Ministry of Defense, the donation of the 14 Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) has now been agreed with the German Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht. Both countries, Germany and Czech Republic are preparing the drafting of the official contract for the donation of these tanks that could be signed in the summer. The first tanks could be delivered in the next six months.

The first Leopard 2A4 MBTs could be delivered this year to the Czech Republic, and Germany has already planned to modernize these tanks in the future. The training of the Czech soldiers to use the Leopard 2A4 tanks will start this year. The delivery of the Leopard 2A4 to the Czech Republic will also include spare parts and ammunition.

The Leopard 2A4 is a German-made main battle tank designed and manufactured by the Company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, the successor of the main battle tank Leopard 1. The version Leopard 2A4 constitutes the basis of today’s Leopard family. The production of the Leopard 2A4 started in 1985.

The Leopard 2A4 MBT is fitted with a three-man turret armed with a 120mm, L44 smoothbore gun operated with the Stabilized Control System. The fire control system enables the MBTs to maintain accuracy even while on the move. Further enhancements include the use of more lethal and versatile kinetic energy and multipurpose ammunition (for example advanced kinetic energy rounds and programmable fuze, multi-purpose rounds).

The leopard 2A4 is powered by a turbocharged diesel engine developing 1,500 hp. This tank has one of the most favorable power-to-weight ratios in its class. It can reach a top road speed of 72km/h and up to 60 km/h in cross-country terrain.