The Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic decided to keep in service the tanks T-72М4

According to Janes Defense Weekly, in early August of the current year, the Czech Defense Ministry decided (in accordance with the recommendations of the White Paper on Defense published in April) to keep the 30 upgraded T-72М4 MBT up to 2025 of the country, that is, the time of expiry of their operation.

The Czech Republics implemented the 30 MBT T-72CZ M4 modernization program at the VOP-025 repair plant (Novi Jicin). The total contract value was 156 million dollars.

At the same time, in order to improve the financial situation in the field of defense, the Defense Ministry of the Czech Republic plans to sell 100 MBT T-72, which have not been modernized and are in storage.

The decision was made, despite objections from the opposition, which calls for following the example of Slovakia, whose government in July announced plans to put the existing MBT for long-term storage or to sell them due to a reduction in defense spending.

According to “Janes”, the Slovak Defense Ministry 19 July announced the removal of the 30 with the upgraded upgraded MBT T-72M1. From the beginning of 2011, the Slovak Defense Ministry has already sold the 37 MBT T-72 and by the end of the year plans to sell the 30 remaining MBT T-72М1.

The discussion about the fate of the MBT T-72 unfolded in the Czech parliament. Some parliamentarians believe that the budget planned for next year does not allow preserving Tanks as part of the aircraft. At the same time, according to the assessment of the Armed Forces command, support for modernized tanks will not have a significant impact on defense spending.

At the same time, due to the large number of redundant MBTs offered in the secondary market, even the sale of upgraded T-72M4 will not allow to raise substantial funds.

When upgrading the MBT T-72М1 to version T-72М4, which was carried out in order to increase the security, maneuverability and firepower of the tank while maintaining the 125-mm smooth-bore gun, components made in Israel, Italy, Great Britain and the USA were used. The remaining 100 OBT T-72М1 have not been upgraded, and they must be repaired and repaired before sale. Earlier, the Czech Republic delivered part of the excess MBT T-72М1 to Slovakia and Georgia.

After the end of the Cold War, almost every European country reduced the number of MBTs in the Armed Forces. At the same time, according to military specialists, tanks have unique capabilities in both offensive and defensive operations and are one of the few weapon systems that can be effectively used during combat operations of varying degrees of intensity, including peacekeeping operations. MBT has proven its effectiveness in Iraq and Afghanistan.