Czech Ministry of Defense has announced plans to procure 22 new modernized KOVVŠ/M2 command-staff vehicles based on the TITUS wheeled armored chassis, along with two additional units for driver training. The total cost of the contract, which also includes personnel training, is estimated at 4.068 billion Czech crowns, or approximately $191.2 million, according to the ministry’s report on recent government discussions.
The KOVVŠ upgrade to the /M2 standard draws on lessons learned from real combat experience of the Ukrainian Defense Forces, with a particular focus on communications, electronic warfare, and navigation capabilities. Each vehicle is priced at roughly 137 million crowns (about $5.6–6 million), with around 38.7 million crowns ($1.8 million) attributed to the integration of new technologies.
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The most important innovation is the integration of a C4ISTAR system, enabling real-time command and control of units using advanced technologies. From the available information, this system appears to have a function similar to Ukraine’s Dzvin-AS automated control platform.
The Ministry of Defense did not disclose further technical details, except that the supplier will be Eldis, a company under the Czechoslovak Group known for developing radars and surveillance systems. The contract deadline is November 2027.
Currently, the Czech Armed Forces operate 62 TITUS armored vehicles in three configurations: MKPP (artillery fire control), KOVS (communications), and KOVVŠ (command-staff). Delivery of these vehicles concluded in July 2024, with an estimated average price of €3.9 million per unit.
Comparing the figures, the cost of the new command vehicles is notably higher. However, the previous contract averaged costs across all three variants, and the additional $1.8 million in new technology explains much of the difference — making the $5.6–6 million unit price reasonable considering it carries more advanced equipment.
The TITUS chassis itself is a 27-ton armored vehicle with a 6x6 wheel configuration. Its modular design allows for multiple specialized variants based on a common platform, which is useful from the unification perspective.
Integrating an automated troop command system is a logical step in the evolution of modern command vehicles. Many countries are adopting similar technologies to enhance situational awareness and speed up decision-making.
russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine demonstrated that with the widespread use of drones and modern communications, vast quantities of data can be collected in real time. Automated control systems make it possible to process this information quickly and efficiently, conduct calculations, take responsive action, and provide decision-makers with the data they need at the right moment.
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