Ramstein: Czechia proposes expanding T-72 tank upgrade program for Ukraine
Photo: Petr Fiala/Twitter
On Friday, April 21, at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact, the Czech Republic, to strengthen military support for Kyiv, expressed readiness to modernize several dozen more T-72 tanks within the framework of a partnership project with the USA and the Netherlands.
The European Pravda reports this.
Deputy Czech Minister of Defense Daniel Blazhkovec told the meeting participants in the Ramstein format that the Czech Republic "combines maximum donations from army stocks, purchases from state funds, joint funds and commercial supplies" in the issue of aid to Ukraine.
He added that Prague's current priorities for armed support for Kyiv are BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, large-caliber ammunition, means of radio-electronic warfare, intelligence, and air defense.
Among other things, within the framework of the tripartite project with the USA and the Netherlands for the supply of more than 90 modernized T-72 tanks, Ukraine has already received 37, "and every month, even more, are added to them."
"We propose to increase production rates by dozens more (tanks – ed.) if the partners are interested in financing this project," the director of the Agency for Intergovernmental Defense Cooperation of the Czech Republic (AMOS) Aleš Vytechka said.
Blazhkovec added that the Czech Republic is ready to conduct negotiations on creating a center for maintenance, repair, and overhaul of heavy equipment based on the VOP state company and several private companies.
It should be noted that at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in the Ramstein format, a meeting of the heads of the defense departments of the countries that are part of the so-called "tank coalition" took place.
The meeting participants signed a protocol of intentions to create in Poland a maintenance and service center for Leopard 2 main battle tanks, which were previously delivered to Ukraine.
For reference:
The Czech Republic has shown its unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine during the full–scale war, providing both financial and political aid. With total donations of 0.937bn € – amounting to 0.412% of its GDP – and a further 0.566bn € pledged for military assistance, the Czech Republic has been the 13th highest donor and the second highest in terms of humanitarian aid. The country has also provided strong political and diplomatic support, with President Miloš Zeman and Foreign Minister Tomáš Petříček both voicing their support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. As such, the Czech Republic has firmly established itself as one of the most important supporters of Ukraine in this difficult time.
