Denmark and the Czech Republic to provide armored vehicles and heavy weapons to Ukraine
12 October, 2023 T-72EA tank modernized at the facilities of the Czech defense enterprise Excalibur Army. The photo is illustrative In the coming months, Denmark and the Czech Republic will provide infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, and heavy weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the expense of the Danish government.
The news was published on the website of the Czech Ministry of Defense. Denmark and the Czech Republic have teamed up in a joint project to support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invaders. As part of the first part of the project, the two countries will transfer about 50 infantry fighting vehicles, main battle tanks, electronic warfare and reconnaissance equipment, and large-caliber ammunition.
"This is a significant gift of equipment that is in great demand in Ukraine. This gift was made possible due to the exemplary cooperation between Denmark and the Czech Republic," Troels Lund Poulsen, Danish Defense Minister, emphasized. However, not all the equipment will be new.
The report notes that the supplies will also include refurbished equipment that is already in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
T-72M tank modernized for Ukraine in the Czech Republic at the facilities of the Czech company Excalibur Army
The title of the equipment is unknown, but it couls be a major overhaul of Ukrainian BMP-1 and BMP-2 and the repair and modernization of T-72 tanks. The Czech defense industry specializes in servicing this equipment. In addition, in June 2023, the "Ukrainian Defense Industry" (former "Ukroboronprom") signed a contract with the Czech company VOP CZ to repair and modernize the Ukrainian T-64 tanks.
It can be assumed that the contract has entered its active phase, and the Czech Republic has started to transfer repaired equipment of this type.
Small arms and heavy weapons
The project also plans to supply a large number of infantry weapons, including 2,500 pistols, 7,000 rifles, 500 hand machine guns, and 500 sniper rifles.
An International Legion soldier with a Czech CZ Bren 2 rifle. Photo from open sources
As for heavy weapons, the two countries plan to transfer 500 large-caliber machine guns, 280 recoilless cannons, 7,000 anti-tank weapons, 10,000 hand grenades, and 60 mortar systems. The delivery will also include a significant number of C-UAS systems.
It is emphasized that the list was developed considering the requirements and needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to strengthen their combat capability.