The Czech Ministry of Defence has signed a CZK 6.16 billion (around EUR 250 million) agreement with Rheinmetall Landsysteme GmbH for the long-term maintenance of the Czech Army’s Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks. Spanning seven years, the deal covers comprehensive service support, including repairs and spare parts, and is seen as a major milestone in the country’s shift from Soviet-era systems to NATO-standard platforms. MoD official Lubor Koudelka emphasized that such maintenance support is essential for sustainable tank operations, and the Leopard transition reduces Czech reliance on Russian equipment. The contract includes 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks purchased from Rheinmetall in December 2024 and 30 tanks previously donated by Germany as compensation for Czech aid to Ukraine. By extending Rheinmetall’s role from supplier to full-service partner, the agreement ensures standardized support and aligns Prague more closely with NATO modernization efforts.
