Czechia prepares to supply Ukraine with tanks capable of rivaling Russia's T-90M
Illustrative photo: T-72 tanks (Getty Images)
Czechia is considering transferring around 30 modernized T-72M4CZ tanks to Ukraine, vehicles whose capabilities can rival some of Russia’s most advanced models, including the T-90M, according to the Czech Ministry of Defence website.
Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka announced the potential transfer of tanks, noting that the modernization of the T-72 fleet had been planned long before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Once the upgrade is complete, he intends to recommend that the Czech government transfer the vehicles to Ukraine, in the interest of national security.
What T-72M4CZ represents
The modernization of the T-72M4CZ began in the 1990s, following the Gulf War, which exposed the technological gap between Soviet-designed tanks and their Western counterparts.
Key upgrades include:
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Advanced fire-control system integrating the commander’s and gunner’s sights, a thermal imager (range up to 4 km), and a ballistic computer. This allows the tank to deliver precise fire both stationary and on the move, day or night, at ranges up to 2 km.
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A 1,000-horsepower engine that can be replaced by the crew in under 30 minutes, along with an auxiliary power unit.
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Enhanced armor protection with DYNA-72 explosive reactive armor, TRALL magnetic-mine protection, and a laser-warning system.
Comparison with Russian counterparts
Even Russian military analysts admit that the T-72M4CZ is among the best T-72 upgrades ever produced. In terms of equipment, it rivals the T-72B3M (2014) and even the T-90M (2018).
Notably, the Czech tank features a modern commander’s sighting system, while many Russian models still rely on outdated optical instruments with a viewing range of only about 500 meters.
According to military expert Andriy Kharuk, receiving these tanks would significantly strengthen Ukraine’s armored forces with modern technology that matches or surpasses Russian hardware.
"The Czech T-72M4CZ is on par with the T-72B3M and even exceeds it in several aspects," Kharuk noted.
Tanks amount Ukraine to receive
The Czech Army currently operates only about 30 T-72M4CZ tanks, which have been largely replaced by German Leopard 2A4s. These modernized units are the ones likely to be transferred to Ukraine once the Czech government makes a final decision.
If approved, the move would mark an important step in strengthening Ukraine’s armored capabilities and another example of Europe’s strategic support for Kyiv.
Earlier, Czech President Petr Pavel emphasized the importance of his country’s initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine, warning that canceling it would "harm Czechia itself" and lead to more casualties in Ukraine.
