Czech Army receives final units of 62 TITUS 6x6 armored vehicles.

On June 26, 2024, at the Army Center for Technical Services in Štěpánov near Olomouc, the final units of the ordered TITUS armored vehicles were handed over to the Army of the Czech Republic. The supplier, Eldis Pardubice, along with the manufacturer and integrator, Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV), completed their contractual obligation to deliver a total of 62 TITUS vehicles in three versions on schedule.
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These TITUS vehicles were ordered in three versions: Command-Staff Vehicles (KOVVŠ), Communication Vehicles (KOVS), and Fire Support Coordination Vehicles (MKPP). (Picture source: Tatra Defence Vehicle)

The TITUS (Tactical Infantry Transport and Utility System) is an armored 6x6 multi-purpose vehicle built by Nexter KNDS and Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV) to address the demands of modern hybrid warfare, including counter-insurgency missions and high-intensity conflicts. The vehicle's architecture provides high mobility and maneuverability across various terrains, such as deserts and urban environments. Its primary mission is to transport infantry squads while offering protection and fire support capabilities.

The TITUS can be configured for several missions, including serving as a command post, a self-propelled mortar carrier (120mm), an armored ambulance, or a CBRN reconnaissance vehicle. The vehicle has a maximum speed of 110 km/h, an operational weight of 23 tons, and a range of 700 km. It is powered by a 500hp engine and features semi-independent stub axles and advanced steering systems. For protection, it offers ballistic levels from 2 to 4, mine resistance from levels 3A/3B to 4A/4B, and IED blast protection from 50 to 150 kg. Additionally, the TITUS is equipped with a remote weapon station for 7.62mm to 25mm weapons and a 40mm grenade launcher, supporting troops in combat situations.

Additionally, this 6x6 can be equipped with a remote weapon station for 7.62mm to 25mm weapons and a 40mm grenade launcher. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

In June 2019, the Czech Ministry of Defense commissioned an order for 62 TITUS (Tactical Infantry Transport & Utility System) armored vehicles on a Tatra 6x6 chassis for the Czech Army. These vehicles were ordered in three versions: Command-Staff Vehicles (KOVVŠ), Communication Vehicles (KOVS), and Fire Support Coordination Vehicles (MKPP). The contract, valued at approximately 6 billion Czech koruna including VAT, specified that the Army would receive 20 MKPP vehicles in the first phase, 36 KOVS vehicles in the second phase, and finally, 6 KOVVŠ vehicles along with six staff workstations (PŠ). The delivery of the MKPP vehicles was completed by Eldis Pardubice and TDV in August 2023, followed by the KOVS vehicles, with the project concluding with the handover of the KOVVŠ vehicles in May and June of this year.

The delivery of the KOVS vehicles experienced a four-month delay compared to the partial schedule due to issues with the sub-supply of certain communication and information system components from abroad. These challenges were attributed to the global COVID-19 pandemic and the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine, which prioritized the delivery of these systems and components to warring countries over non-combat projects.

All three specialized versions intended for the Czech Army resulted from collaboration between several Czech companies and a foreign partner. The main system integrator for the TITUS project was the Kopřivnice-based TDV, which handled the production of the bodies and the complete assembly of the vehicles in collaboration with the French company Nexter Systems. Tatra Trucks supplied the chassis platforms, and the Pardubice company Retia provided the electronic components and special superstructures. Eldis Pardubice was the final supplier for the Army.

The TITUS vehicles fulfill support roles within Czech Army units, replacing several outdated systems installed on various platforms, primarily Praga V3S trucks. (Picture source: Czech MoD)

Following the contract signing, the TITUS project for the Czech Army began with the production of six prototypes: one KOVS, one KOVVŠ, and four MKPP. These prototypes underwent the prescribed company tests at the manufacturer, control tests at accredited testing laboratories, military tests at Army units and facilities, and approval tests again at accredited laboratories in 2021 and 2022. Following the successful testing, serial production commenced. Initially, Nexter supplied the finished armored bodies to the Kopřivnice company, but later the know-how for their production was fully transferred to TDV, where the main parts of the TITUS vehicles were manufactured and assembled. The deliveries included operational and accompanying documentation for all vehicle versions, as well as parts catalogs and workshop tools.

The TITUS vehicles fulfill support roles within Czech Army units, replacing several outdated systems installed on various platforms, primarily Praga V3S trucks. The KOVVŠ variant is used in the decision-making processes of commanders at the battalion and brigade levels during combat management, enhancing the command and control processes of subordinate elements. The KOVS variant is intended to support and ensure the interoperability of command and control systems at the brigade and battalion levels. They share similar roles with the KOVVŠ and KOVS Pandur II 8x8 vehicles also supplied to the Army by TDV in recent years.

The TITUS MKPP vehicles primarily serve the 13th Artillery Regiment in Jince, where they ensure command processes and secure communication and data links between individual elements of the artillery combat group and the superior all-arms commander. The MKPP vehicles act as command-staff workstations for both coordination and fire support management at the brigade (Fire Coordination Center), battalion (Fire Coordination Center), regiment (Fire Management Center), and battery (Fire Management Site) levels. After delivery from the manufacturer, Army specialists implemented and installed the modern Adler III CZ fire control system into the TITUS MKPP vehicles, ensuring full automation of the fire management and coordination processes for the Army's artillery. This year, the new TITUS vehicles also saw deployment abroad within the Czech Army task force operating in the Baltics.

For protection, the TITUS offers ballistic levels from 2 to 4, mine resistance from levels 3A/3B to 4A/4B, and IED blast protection from 50 to 150 kg. (Picture source: Army Recognition)