Slovakia and Czech Republic to purchase Tatra trucks

21 December, 2024 A Tatra T-815 military truck. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic The Ministry of Defense of Slovakia and the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic have signed a framework agreement for the joint purchase of Tatra trucks.

This was reported by the Czech Ministry of Defense. The new agreement allows Slovakia to take part in the purchase of trucks under the framework agreement that the Czech Ministry of Defense signed with Tatra in July 2024. The framework agreement allows NATO partners to join the procurement and Slovakia is the first country to join the procurement.

In total, the Slovak Ministry of Defense plans to purchase up to 250 T-815 trucks capable of transporting containers.

A Tatra T-815-7 truck with an 8x8 wheel configuration. Photo from open sources

The involvement of other countries in this project not only strengthens the Czech defense industry, but also reduces the cost of the trucks due to the larger volume of purchases. On behalf of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, the amendment was signed by Lubor Kudelka, Senior Director of the Armaments and Procurement Department, on behalf of the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic - Martin Catlos, National Director for Armaments, and Martin Sekanina, Managing Director of Tatra Defense Systems.

Framework agreement with Tatra

The Czech Republic signed a framework agreement with Tatra in July 2024.

According to this agreement, the Czech Ministry of Defense can purchase up to 872 T-815 trucks by the end of September 2031. The Czech army expects to purchase T-815 trucks in three variants, the first two with a 6x6 wheel configuration as flatbed trucks and container trucks. The third one is planned to be purchased with an 8x8 wheel configuration as a container truck.

The trucks will be procured in accordance with the current needs of the Czech Army and in line with current financial capabilities. The cost of all 872 trucks is estimated at CZK 13.35 billion (EUR 530 million). The first trucks are expected to be delivered in early 2025.

In the Czech army, Tatra trucks are used by anti-aircraft and artillery units in addition to logistics units.

T815 TATRA trucks of the Czech Republic Army with two RBS 70 crews.

2008.

Czech Republic.

Photo from open sources

They not only use them to transport weapons, but also use them as mobile launchers with Swedish Rbs-70 MANPADS mounted on them.