Rheinmetall will supply 14 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks and one Buffalo armored recovery vehicle to the Czech Republic. This deal is part of a German government-initiated “ring swap” program aimed at supporting Ukraine.
The “ring swap” program involves NATO countries providing Ukraine with Soviet-era equipment in exchange for modern Western systems.
Signed in late July 2024, the agreement is valued at over EUR100 million. In exchange for these vehicles, the Czech Republic will provide military equipment to Ukraine. Deliveries are scheduled to begin at the end of 2024 and continue through early 2026.
Earlier in October 2022, Rheinmetall, along with the German and Czech governments, secured a similar deal. Production on the vehicles for this order is underway.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet grew in importance as a research tool, he helped design the company's Forecast Intelligence Center and currently coordinates the EMarket Alert newsletters for clients. Richard also manages social media efforts, including two new blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, covering defense systems and international issues, and Flight Plan, which focuses on commercial aviation and space systems. For over 30 years, Richard has authored the Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International) services. The two books provide detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database that tracks all the contractors involved in the programs covered in the FI library. More recently he was appointed Manager, Information Services Group (ISG), a new unit that encompasses developing outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
