The Czech government talks with Germany to receive 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks as a gift for the support it provides to Ukraine and the possibility of buying as much more from the German defense industry, the Ministry of Defense announced today.

The Czechs have already received 15 such tanks as a donation from Germany and plan to order dozens of the most modern version of the Leopard, the 2A8s, in the coming years.

The ministry said that the 15 tanks that will be purchased will cost a few hundred million euros and will help improve the country’s capabilities as it moves to replace its Soviet-era weaponry, which it has largely donated to Ukraine.

“If the current negotiations are completed successfully, the Czech army (…) after 2030 will have more than 100 Leopard tanks in active service and as reserves. Leopards are jointly manufactured by the Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann industries.

In addition to the 15 2A4 tanks donated by Germany, the Czech Republic still uses 30 modernized Soviet T-72M4CZs and some non-modernized T-72s, but most of these have already been given to Ukraine. The Czech Republic was the first country to send heavy weapons to Ukraine in 2022, including 62 T-72 tanks, 16 anti-aircraft systems and six helicopters, Prime Minister Petr Fiala recalled today, according to CTK news agency. Other equipment has also been sent to Kiev through private companies.