Czechia ready to increase T-72 modernization capacity for Ukraine
Ukraine has already received 37 modernized T-72 tanks as part of the military aid financed by the USA and the Netherlands, while currently the Czech Ministry of Defense proposes to include in the project dozens more tanks.
This is reported by army.cz following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Support Contact Group held at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany on April 21, Ukrinform saw.
"We propose to add dozens more to the production rate if the partners are interested in financing the project," said Ales Vytecka, chief of the Agency for Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation (AMOS).
"In the Czech Republic, we combine the maximum number of donations from the Czech Army's reserves, purchases from state reserves, crowdfunding, and commercial supplies," explained Deputy Defense Minister Daniel Blazkovec.
According to the official, thanks to cooperation with Ukrainian and foreign partners, the Czech Republic still has “specific projects that can be quickly implemented and which are a priority for Ukraine."
Currently, the Czech Republic is mainly focused on the BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, tanks, large-caliber ammunition, e-warfare, ISR (Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance), and air defense.
As part of a tripartite project with the United States and the Netherlands to supply more than 90 tanks, the Sternberg-based Excalibur can deliver about five such tanks per month. As tanks often arrive at the factory in a derelict state, once upgraded, they receive increased engine power, new communication systems, digital diagnostics, better targeting systems, additional dynamic armor, etc.
In addition, the Czech Republic is ready to run negotiations on setting up a center for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of heavy equipment within the framework of state-run VOP and several private businesses.
The Czech Republic also trains Ukrainian fighters, with plans to train up to 4,000 recruits by year-end. The third group, a total of 650 servicemen, is currently being trained in Libava.
Other forms of assistance are also being provided. In particular, 15 military policemen together with representatives of the Netherlands will investigate war crimes in Ukraine under the auspices of the International Criminal Court.
Since the invasion, the Czech Republic has been one of the largest providers of military aid to Ukraine, holding weekly consultations on Ukraine’s current needs.
