Infantry fighting vehicle trio competing in the Czech Republic

In the search for a replacement for the BVP-2 armored personnel carrier and the T72 main battle tank, the next stage has now begun in the Czech Republic. The three competitors for the job have started demonstrating technical and tactical skills. The procurement process has thus picked up speed again after being threatened by delays and even a complete standstill.

Auf Einladung des tschechischen Verteidigungsministeriums haben BAE Systems den Schützenpanzer CV90, General Dynamics European Land Systems den Schützenpanzer Ascod und Rheinmetall den Schützenpanzer Lynx KF41 zur Erprobung nach Tschechien geschickt. Dort müssen die drei Panzer im Gelände und auf der Schießbahn ihre Leistungsfähigkeit demonstrieren. In den Werkstätten werden die Fahrzeuge genau inspiziert, um Erkenntnisse darüber zu gewinnen, ob die militärischen Forderungen, die Systeme zu bedienen und instandzusetzen, erfüllt werden können.

The trials, which started a few days ago, are scheduled to be completed in early June, with no results announced. After another round of checks by the ministries, the Czech government will make a decision. A call for best and final offers is expected to be issued in time for a procurement contract to be signed later this year.

The scope of procurement is estimated at up to 210 infantry fighting vehicles. 1.9 billion euros are to be made available for this purpose. At least 40 percent of this should be provided as added value by Czech companies, above all the state-owned company VOP CZ. The first vehicles are scheduled for delivery in 2023. With a production rate of five to ten armored personnel carriers per month, production is expected to be completed in 2027.

The armored personnel carrier program in the Czech Republic is one of the numerous procurement programs with which the young NATO members in Eastern Europe are bringing the equipment of their armed forces closer to the standard of their western neighbors and increasing interoperability within NATO.

Gerhard Heiming

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