The Czech Army is advancing plans to acquire new Leopard 2A7+ tanks after the recent acquisition of the Leopard 2A4.

Defense News reported about this.

Last year, the Czech Republic donated its T-72M tanks to Ukraine to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine in combating against the ongoing Russian invasion.

Under its so-called “Ringtausch” program, Germany has decided to supply a batch of Leopard 2A4s to the Czech Republic to enable the Czech Army to preserve its combat capabilities.

The Czech Armed Forces say the Leopard 2A4 swap will make the Czech Armed Forces ready for the acquisition of new Leopard 2 tanks.

“The 2A4 Leopards will prepare us for the most modern Leopard in the 2A7 version,” the Czech Armed Forces said in a tweet.

Czech Defense Minister Jana Černochová stated in May 2022 that her country was considering purchasing up to 50 tanks in the 2A7+ variant from Germany.

Militarnyi reported that last December, the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic received the first of 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks.

Under the plan, the remaining 13 Leopard 2A4s are to be delivered to the Czech military base in Přáslavice, in the country’s eastern part, until the end of 2023.

According to the Czech Ministry, the tanks will be operated by the 7th Mechanized Brigade.

Previously, Militarnyi reported that Norway ordered 54 new Leopard 2 tanks for its army from the German concern Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Group.

Norway’s Prime Minister and Ministers of Finance and Defense confirmed during a joint press conference that the contract will involve the production of 54 Leopard 2A7 tanks by the German concern and a further option to order an additional 18 units.