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​The Czech Republic Propose to Increase T-72 Modernization Capacity to Supply Ukraine With

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The T-72 tank modernized by Excalibur Army for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, December 2022 / Photo credit: Novinky.cz
The T-72 tank modernized by Excalibur Army for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, December 2022 / Photo credit: Novinky.cz

Czechia plans to prepare more modernized tanks 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, Ukrinform reports citing army.cz

The official web-site of Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, army.cz, published this following the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Support Contact Group held at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany on April 21.

Read more: The Czech Republic to Update 90 T-72B Tanks For Ukraine Worth 1 Million Dollars Each: the Arrival Dates of Vehles Are Named
The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine shown the T-72 Avenger for the Ukrainian army previously bought by the Czech people, Defense Express
In October, 2022, The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine shown the T-72 Avenger for the Ukrainian army previously bought by the Czech people - tap the picture to find more detailes

"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.

The Czech Dana self-propelled artillery gun helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine to eliminate invaders since April 2022, Defense Express
The Czech Dana self-propelled artillery gun helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine to eliminate invaders since April 2022 - tap the picture to find more detailes

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.

Czech defense ministry company VOP CZ and the Ukrainian state concern Ukroboronprom concluded a will cooperate to repair Ukrainian armored vehicles in the Czech Republi, Defense Express
Early February, 2023, Czech defense ministry company VOP CZ and the Ukrainian state concern Ukroboronprom concluded a will cooperate to repair Ukrainian armored vehicles in the Czech Republic, notably at the facility owned by Novojičínská zbrojovka / Photo credit: Czech MoD

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.

As Defense Express reported, The Czech Republic Wanted to Repair Ukraine’s T-64 Tanks That Were Produced Only In Kharkiv. We also wrote that The Ukrainian Military Showed How They Eliminated Invaders with the Czech RM-70 Vampire MLRS.

Read more: ​Poland, the Czech Republic Have "Surplus" Kub ADS, That Can Be Used as Launchers for American Sea Sparrow Missiles for Ukraine