Earlier this week, local media in the Czech Republic reported that the country had completed the transfer of its last T-72M1 tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as part of various military aid packages aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense against the Russian invasion. Specifically, the transfer involved a total fleet of 86 units inherited from the Soviet Army after the end of the Cold War, which the Czech military intends to replace with German-made Leopard 2A4 and 2A8 platforms.
According to available details, the final shipment of T-72M1 tanks took place between the end of last month and the beginning of the current one, consisting of a batch of 20 units from the 73rd Tank Battalion. Regarding the method of delivery, the tanks were transported by rail, using ten railcars that departed from the Czech Army’s logistics center in Štěpánov. The same logistics were used for deliveries in 2022 and 2023, during which more modern T-72M4CZ tanks were also sent.
Reviewing the technical characteristics of the transferred T-72M1 units, they are equipped with a 125 mm main gun, a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. Each tank features a diesel engine producing 780 horsepower and a seven-speed transmission, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 km/h. The vehicle is fitted with a hydraulic system to assist the three-person crew in operation.
Finally, regarding Prague’s plans to rebuild its armored capabilities, it’s worth recalling the national security strategy officially published in 2024, which outlines the arrival of new Leopard tanks for this purpose. The Czech Army is currently in the process of incorporating Leopard 2A4 tanks in several batches, which will form an estimated fleet of 40 vehicles. These second-hand tanks originally came from Switzerland and have been upgraded by Rheinmetall to meet the specific requirements of the Czech Republic. Additionally, the country is expected to finalize a purchase of 77 new Leopard 2A8 tanks in the future for approximately 52 billion Czech crowns, representing a significant leap in capability for the force.
*Images used for illustrative purposes only.
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