Slovakia plans to purchase more than 100 new main battle tanks
At the Future Armored Vehicles Central & Eastern Europe conference in Prague, the Slovak Ministry of Defense announced its plan to purchase more than 100 new main battle tanks. This was reported by Defence Industry Europe.
Details of the deal
Under an arms exchange agreement with Germany, Slovakia handed over 30 BVP-1 infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine in exchange for 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks. These tanks were donated to Slovakia by the German government as part of the Ringtausch initiative to compensate for the military equipment provided to Ukraine.
Modernization of the Armed Forces
Slovakia’s Ministry of Defense also announced plans to reorganize the structure of its ground forces, continuing to modernize its armored vehicle fleet. In particular, it is planned to create two new tank battalions, each of which will be equipped with 52 new main battle tanks. The choice of tanks for these battalions has not yet been finalized, and proposals from the industry are being considered by the Ministry.
Outlook until 2030
By 2030, the Slovak Armed Forces plan to have 45 main battle tanks in service as part of the 14th Tank Battalion, a unit of the 2nd Mechanized Brigade of the Army. Of these tanks, 30 are Soviet T-72s. Earlier, the Slovak Ministry of Defense considered the possibility of modernizing these tanks, but decided to abandon this course.
Concluding a deal
The agreement for the purchase of new main battle tanks is expected to be signed this year or next year. After the acquisition, the new armored vehicles will become a key component of Slovakia’s strategic efforts to ensure national security and defense capabilities.
