Slovakia reveals plans to buy more than 100 main battle tanks

The tank is still considered an important part of the infantry force. Its role is difficult to replace in some cases. In the category of land combat vehicles, it is truly a unique vehicle.

In Central European countries like Slovakia, Soviet-era T-72 tanks are still in use in various modifications and modernizations. The question is whether the heyday of these aging main battle tanks (MBTs) is really over, and whether it is time to replace them with more modern ones.

In an effort to bring its forces closer to modern 21st century standards, Slovakia plans to purchase more than 100 main battle tanks (MBTs) to form and equip two new tank battalions of the Ground Forces.

The information was given by officials representing the Slovakian Ministry of Defense at the Future Armored Vehicles Conference in Central & Eastern Europe, which took place from May 13-14 in the capital Prague, Czech Republic.

By 2030, the Slovak Armed Forces will operate 45 main battle tanks within the 14th Tank Battalion, a unit of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Ground Forces. 30 of these tanks will be Soviet-era T-72 tanks.

T-72M1 tank. Photo: Slovakian Ministry of Defense

In recent years, the Slovak Ministry of Defense has considered implementing a program to upgrade these tanks. However, according to a statement by Captain Jakub Murcek from the Department of Modernization (of the Slovak Ministry of Defense), Slovakia's T-72 tanks will not be modernized.

Another 15 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks were delivered to Slovakia by the German defense company Rheinmetall. These tanks were donated to Slovakia by the German government under the “Ringtausch” initiative, which was intended to compensate Bratislava for providing military equipment and weapons systems to Ukraine.

According to Captain Murcek, by the end of 2024, Leopard 2A4 tanks will be fully integrated into the Slovak Land Forces.

Slovakia received the first German-made Leopard 2A4 main battle tank and delivered it on December 19, 2022. Photo: Army Recognition

At the Future Armored Vehicles Conference in Central & Eastern Europe, Captain Murcek said that in the coming years, the Slovak Land Forces will be restructured. Accordingly, the Slovak Ministry of Defense plans to form two new tank battalions, each equipped with 52 newly purchased main battle tanks.

The Slovak Ministry of Defense has not yet decided which tanks it will buy but is considering proposals from defense industry entities, Captain Murcek said. However, the Slovak representative said that a deal on the new main battle tank is expected to be signed this year or in 2025 .

Minh Duc (According to Defense Industry Europe, CZ Defense)

Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/slovakia-tiet-lo-ke-hoach-mua-hon-100-xe-tang-chien-dau-chu-luc-a664605.html