Slovakia Plans to Acquire 100+ Main Battle Tanks for Enhanced Defense Capabilities

Slovakia announces plans to acquire over 100 main battle tanks for two new battalions, enhancing defensive capabilities and aligning with NATO standards.

The Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic has announced plans to purchase more than 100 main battle tanks to form and equip two new tank battalions within the land forces. This development was disclosed by officials at the Future Armoured Vehicles Central & Eastern Europe conference, held on May 13-14 in Prague, Czech Republic.

By 2030, the Slovak Armed Forces will be operating 45 main battle tanks as part of the 14 Tank Battalion, which is a unit of the 2 Mechanized Brigade. Currently, this battalion includes 30 Soviet-era T-72 tanks. Although there were considerations to upgrade these T-72 tanks, Captain Jakub Murcek from the Modernization Department of the Slovak Ministry of Defence has confirmed that they will not undergo modernization.

In addition to the T-72s, Slovakia has recently integrated 15 Leopard 2A4 tanks into its land forces. These tanks were provided by the German defence company Rheinmetall under the "Ringtausch" initiative, which aims to compensate countries that have donated military equipment to Ukraine. Captain Murcek stated that the Leopard 2A4 tanks will be fully integrated by the end of 2024.

During the conference, Captain Murcek revealed that the structure of the Slovak land forces will undergo significant reorganization in the coming years. The Ministry of Defence plans to form two new tank battalions, each equipped with 52 newly procured main battle tanks. While the specific type of tanks to be purchased has not yet been decided, the Ministry is currently evaluating offers from various manufacturers. An agreement for the acquisition of these tanks is expected to be signed either this year or in 2025.

This procurement plan is part of Slovakia’s broader strategy to modernize its military capabilities and enhance its defensive readiness. The new tanks are expected to provide the Slovak Armed Forces with improved firepower, mobility, and protection, aligning with NATO standards and strengthening Slovakia's position within the alliance.

The move comes amidst a broader trend in Central and Eastern Europe, where countries are investing in modernizing their military equipment in response to evolving security challenges in the region.