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Leopard 2 "Ringtausch" Agreement Signed

Ministry of Defence & Armed Forces of the Czech Republic

12.10.2022
Author: MoD Communication Department

On Tuesday, 11th of October, the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic signed a collection of agreements for the delivery of 14 pieces of Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and 1 piece of advanced recovery vehicle Büffel with German partners.

The Delivery Agreement was signed by Director of Logistics Division of the Czech Armed Forces Colonel Robert Bielený, CEO of Rheinmetall's Business Unit Tactical Vehicles Dr. Björn Bernhard and Executive Vice President Sales Oliver Mittelsdorf. Colonel Bielený also signed Administrative Arrangement between the Czech Republic and Germany with Vice Admiral Carsten Stawitzki which is a basis for deliveries of the tanks. Then the German National Armaments Director Vice Admiral Stawitzki and Major General Ladislav Jung signed Memorandum of Understanding and Implementing Agreement.

Subject of the deal is the delivery of used Leopard 2A4 MBTs from the inventory of Rheinmetall company as acknowledgment for previous military support of Czech republic to the fighting forces of Ukraine. Ammunition, spare parts, service package and training for the Czech soldiers are also included in the deliveries. Part of this encompasses also a more long term cooperation between the Czech and German armed forces. The first vehicles are due to arrive until the end of 2022. Rheinmetall currently works on making these previously stored items available.

In reaction to the Russian aggression, the German government is cooperating with allies and close neighbours on a program of security cooperation called "Ringtausch". Ringtausch works as a tool for backfilling the inventories of those states that send parts of their equipment to Ukrainian forces in exchange for Western made weaponry. Thanks to this program and the circumstances surrounding it, the agreement on Leopard 2 MBTs has been quickly drafted and agreed upon.