Czech Army's T-72M4 CZ approaches end of service life, eyes new Leopar…

The Czech MoD is aiming to participate in the Leopard 2A8 programme, which would represent a considerable leap in capability over the ageing T-72M4 CZ. (IMOD)

The Czech Ministry of Defence (MoD) will develop plans to address the approaching obsolescence of its main battle tank (MBT), the T-72M4 CZ, Colonel Jan Kerdik, head of Land Forces development division at the Czech Armed Forces, told SAE Media's Future Armoured Vehicles Central and Eastern Europe conference in Prague. The Czech army has now stated its ambition to join the Leopard 2A8 programme.

The Czech Armed Forces, which is estimated to have 30 T-72M4 CZ tanks in service, faces issues with obsolescence in particular components and a desire for modernisation that will push the T-72M4 CZ out of service in the coming years. Previous modernisation efforts announced in 2018 were aimed at delaying obsolescence-related issues only until 2025. Coupled with the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, there is a strong desire to rearm Czech tank forces.

The Czech Army, which received 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks in October 2022 under the Berlin-Prague arms swap, will now aim to replace its T-72M4 CZ fleet with NATO-interoperable MBTs. The Czech MoD has opted for the Leopard 2A8, a tank in development. The Leopard 2A8 will build on the advances made with the Leopard 2A7, and the most likely addition to the A8 variant will be the EuroTrophy active protection system, among other improvements.

This article has been updated with additional information