PRESS RELEASE
Czech Republic orders LEOPARD 2 A8
Munich/Prague, September 11, 2025 – The Czech Army will equip its tank units with the LEOPARD 2 A8 starting in 2028.
On behalf of the Czech Ministry of Defense, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) and KNDS Deutschland have signed a contract for the procurement of an initial 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks, with an option for a further 14 Systems. The contract includes extensive service and logistical support services. A parallel contract for country-specific adaptations was signed. The total order volume is approximately €1.34 billion.
The Czech Republic also plans to purchase a further 19 LEOPARD Systems, for example recovery, bridging, engineer, and driving school vehicles. Separate contracts will be concluded for these in the future.
The basis for the procurement is the framework agreement for the LEOPARD 2 A8 established by the BAAINBw. This also enables other countries to procure the KNDS main battle tank system in the A8 configuration.
The Czech Republic is the third country to join the joint LEOPARD 2 A8 procurement program with Germany. The new production of these LEOPARD 2 main battle tanks consolidates the A8 variant as the new standard.
The LEOPARD 2 main battle tank has been introduced in 15 European countries and is a symbol of interoperability, successful standardization, and Europeanization.
Press contact
Christian Budde
Press Officer
KNDS Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Ebertstraße 24 / Pariser Platz 6a
10117 Berlin
Telefon: +49.30.2060978 33 05
E-Mail : christian.budde@knds.de
www.knds.de
About KNDS
KNDS is the result of the association of Krauss Maffei Wegmann (KMW) and Nexter, two of the leading European manufacturers of military land systems based in Germany and France.
KNDS forms a Group of more than 10,000 employees, with a 2024 turnover of 3.8 billion euro, an order backlog of around 23.5 billion euro and incoming orders of 11.2 billion euro. The range of its products includes main battle tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems, weapons systems, ammunition, robotics, military bridges, customer services, battle management systems, training solutions, protection solutions and a wide range of equipment.
The formation of KNDS represents the beginning of consolidation in land defense systems industry in Europe. The strategic alliance between KMW (now KNDS Deutschland) and Nexter (now KNDS France) enhances both groups’ competitiveness and international positions, as well as their ability to meet the needs of their respective nationa l army. In addition, it offers to its European and NATO customers the opportunity of increased standardization and interoperability for their defense equipment, with a dependable industrial base.
KNDS headquarters are based in Amsterdam.
