According to information published by the Czech "CTK" news website on May 20, 2022, the Czech Republic has officially started negotiations with Germany for the purchase of 50 Leopard 2A7+ main battle tanks.
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German-made Leopard 2A7+ Main BattleTank MBT. (Picture source KMW)
Citing information from the "CTK" news website, the Czech Republic could buy the 50 German-made Leopard 2A7+ Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) in the coming year. This acquisition of tanks is not directly related to the aid provided to Ukraine, but the Czech Republic could continue to donate military equipment and weapons to Ukraine.
Germany is the Czech Republic’s most important trade partner and indeed a very significant partner in the defense sector. Other than the development of cooperation in the defense industry, also cooperation between the two countries’ Armed Forces in military exercises has developed fast. Annually, Czechs participate in about thirty exercises in Germany and reciprocally, the German Armed Forces take part in about ten exercises in the Czech Republic.
At the same time, this acquisition of military equipment is an opportunity to ensure maximum involvement of the Czech defense industry, not only in supplies and modernization for the Czech army but also for far more extensive supplies for the German army, said Jakub Fajnor from the press department of the Czech Ministry of Defense.
The acquisition of the 50 Leopard 2A7+ MBTS by the Czech Republic will also contribute to the creation of a new armored brigade in accordance with the development of the military of the Czech armed forces.
The Leopard 2A7+ is a further development of the German-made Leopard 2A6 MBT designed and developed by the defense company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) which is now part of KNDS. The tank has been designed to conduct combat operations in the urban areas. It was unveiled in 2010 during the defense exhibition Eurosatory that was held in Paris, France.
The Leopard 2A7+ is fitted with a new armor package to increase protection against anti-tank guided missiles and Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs). is equipped with a modular protection kit with passive armor modules to offer 360° protection. It has a crew of four including a driver, commander, gunner, and loader.
The main armament of the Leopard 2A7+ consists of one 120mm L55 / L44 smoothbore gun, which can fire standard all NATO standard ammunition and new programmable 120mm HE (High Explosive) rounds. The roof of the turret is fitted with an FLW 200 modular remote controlled light weapon station that can be armed with a 7.62mm machine gun and 40mm grenade launchers or a .50 machine gun.
The Leopard 2A7+ is motorized with an MTU MB 873 diesel engine developing 1,500 hp. the tank can reach a top road speed of 72 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 450 km.
