Czech defense contractor Tatra Defence has signed a deal to build 150 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks for KNDS Deutschland.
The contract includes the transfer of know-how to support the production of the chassis, including welding work, quality control, and associated technological processes.
The agreement includes an option for the assembly of up to 300 more hulls, bolstering the German company and Tatra’s “long-term cooperation and mutual trust” through expanded manufacturing solutions, added capacity, and local industrial opportunities in the Czech Republic’s Moravian-Silesian region, where most of the work will be based.
In addition to the base order, the consortium plans to increase production volumes and support hull construction for other mobile ground platforms offered by KNDS.
Such vehicles include the Leguan bridge-laying system based on the Leopard chassis, which Prague has expressed interest in acquiring.
The collaboration is also expected to support the Titus 6×6 infantry mobility vehicle and other systems managed by KNDS’ French segment.
“The strategic partnership with KNDS Deutschland strengthens our position as a reliable and technologically advanced partner in Europe,” Tatra Defence Vehicle CEO Tomáš Mohapl stated.
“At the same time, it opens up additional opportunities for future cooperation on new projects for the development and maintenance of armored platforms.”
Leopards for NATO, Deliveries to Hungary
The latest project comes after KNDS secured a contract in December to supply 350 Leopard 2A8s to five NATO members, including the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, and Norway.
The acquisition will distribute 44 tanks each for Prague and Vilnius, 75 for Berlin, 46 for Amsterdam, and 54 for Oslo.
Earlier in the month, KNDS completed the delivery of the Leopard tanks in the specialized 2A7HU configuration for Hungary.
That package includes 44 Leopard tanks ordered in 2018, along with 12 secondhand 2A4s, 24 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzers, three Leguan bridge layers, and five Wisent recovery vehicles.
