Reference News Network September 13 report - According to AFP, on September 11, the Franco-German joint venture KNDS Defense Systems Company announced that it had signed a contract worth 1.34 billion euros with the Czech Republic for 44 "Leopard"-2 main battle tanks, and the Czech Republic may also purchase an additional 14 other combat vehicles.
According to the contract, these "Leopard"-2 tanks will be delivered starting in 2028, along with a series of logistics support and services. Another contract is scheduled to have KNDS provide some specialized adaptability services to the Czech army. The Czech Republic also plans to purchase 19 specialized "Leopard" vehicles (for rescue, engineering or training) in the future.
The Czech Republic has thus become the third country to join the "Leopard"-2A8 joint procurement project, further solidifying the status of this tank as the new benchmark for main battle tanks in Europe. The aforementioned contract allows the Czech Republic to gradually replace its Soviet-made tanks and align with the standards of NATO partner countries.
The agreement between the Czech Republic and KNDS reflects the trend of European countries purchasing indigenous weapons. In the context of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, land defense is centered around the "Leopard"-2A8.
The "Leopard" tanks are produced by the German branch of KNDS. KNDS was established in 2015 through the merger of the French company Nexter and the German company KMW, with the aim of strengthening the European land defense industry to counter American competition and design the future of European tanks.
KNDS is a key supplier of armored vehicles and artillery to Ukraine and is also the leading manufacturer of land defense systems in Europe, with more than ten thousand employees. (Translated by Lu Longjun)
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7549408479208653312/
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