The media reported that the Czech Republic has completed preparations for the acquisition of 77 Leopard tanks

The Czech Ministry of Defense is finalizing preparations for concluding a contract with the German-French KNDS consortium for the purchase of 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks. This was reported on June 15 by the publication Novinky.

"The Ministry of Defense is finalizing preparations for the contract for the purchase of German Leopard 2A8 tanks, the last major purchase that the Minister of Defense [of the Czech Republic] Yana Chernokhova wants to conclude a deal before the elections," the publication says.

At the same time, it is noted that the country's opposition is trying to ensure that the contract is signed by the new cabinet of the government after the elections in October.

"The contract is supposed to be signed during the holidays. First of all, combat and command tanks should be purchased, as well as two tanks for driver training," an interlocutor in the Czech Ministry of Defense told the publication.

It is reported that the purchase of 77 Leopard 2A8 tanks was approved in 2024. The value of the transaction was 52 billion crowns (about $2.4 billion).

Earlier, on May 28, Switzerland allowed the sale of more than 70 Leopard tanks to Germany without re-export. It is clarified that the planned deal is in line with the current arms embargo in connection with the situation in Ukraine.