Rheinmetall Unveils Expansion of Main Battle Tank and Armoured Recovery Vehicle Fleet
Rheinmetall has once more been tasked with delivering main battle tanks and armored recovery vehicles to the Czech Republic as part of a ring swap initiative authorized by the German government to assist Ukraine. A contract to this effect was finalized at the conclusion of July 2024 in Prague between delegates from both nations and Rheinmetall. The contract value is in the low three-digit million euro bracket.
The Czech armed forces will receive 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and one Buffalo armored recovery vehicle from Rheinmetall. In exchange, the Czech military will transfer military supplies to Ukraine. The initial vehicle is anticipated to be dispatched to the Czech Republic by the end of 2024, while the remainder of the tanks will be delivered by the end of April 2025, and the delivery of ARV 3 Buffalo will conclude by early 2026.
Similar to the first ring swap with the Czech Republic in October 2022, Rheinmetall swiftly negotiated the essential agreements in close collaboration with the German Federal Ministry of Defence and Czech authorities and armed forces. Production on the vehicles has already commenced.
Owned by Rheinmetall, the vehicles currently being supplied are upgraded Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks previously in the stock of various user nations. The advanced ARV 3 Buffalo armored recovery vehicle is based on an enhanced Leopard 2 chassis.
The “Ringtausch” (“ring swap”) represents a strategy developed by the German government in partnership with Germany’s neighboring countries and NATO allies to aid Ukraine in its struggle against Russian hostility. Specifically, NATO member nations are supplying Ukraine with Soviet-era heavy machinery in return for accessible Western military assets.
