On Wednesday 24 August, the Ministry of Defence concluded a contract for the acquisition of 209 Tatra 815-7 6x6 heavy-duty off-road trucks in a flatbed design with a total value of more than CZK 1.9 billion, excluding VAT. The contract was signed on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by Lubor Koudelka, Deputy Director of the Armaments and Acquisitions Section, and on behalf of Tatra Trucks a.s. by Petr Hendrych, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Petr Šimek, Member of the Board of Directors.

Picture: On behalf of the Ministry of Defence, the contract was signed by Lubor Koudelka, Deputy Director of Armaments and Acquisitions, and on behalf of Tatra Trucks a.s. by Petr Hendrych, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Petr Šimek, Member of the Board of Directors. | Jan Schejbal

The new vehicles will enable to secure transport capacities important for urgent needs of logistic support of the Czech Army not only in the time of emergency security situation in Eastern Europe, so that the transport of key military material is ensured. This is a purchase of equipment that is already established in the army. This will also simplify and streamline the subsequent operation of the acquired vehicles and save costs.

Picture: Tatra T 815-7 6x6 in the service of the Czech Armed Forces | Adam Hauner

"In today's complex security situation, this is another important step towards strengthening the defence of the Czech Republic. I am very pleased that we have managed to negotiate a contract with a Czech manufacturer," said Lubor Koudelka on the occasion of the contract signing. Already this year, 200 pieces of equipment will be delivered, and the remaining 9 pieces will be delivered at the beginning of 2023. In the future, it will be necessary to replace another 640 of the 928 vehicles in operation due to their age.

In the next few days, a contract will be concluded with Tatra Trucks a.s. for the years 2023 and 2024 for the acquisition of 80 heavy off-road trucks type T-815-7 8x8, so-called hook loader for transport and handling of ISO 1C containers with a total value of more than CZK 1.2 billion excluding VAT. The current state of automotive transport equipment of this category in the Army of the Czech Republic is significantly undersized. Out of the total number of 504 vehicles in operation, at least 200 need to be supplemented, with 80 identified as the minimum for urgent need.

Picture: Tatra T 815-7 8×8 MSH- 165-SCA - Hook loader in the service of the Czech Armed Forces | 4. brn

In the implementation of both public procurement contracts, the Ministry used the urgent method of procurement, which, according to the Public Procurement Act, is applicable in the event of war crises and similar extraordinary life-threatening situations.

Logistics is essential

The above-mentioned report of the Ministry of Defence clearly confirms that the Ministry is well aware of the importance of high-quality and sufficiently large logistics facilities. It was and still is evident from the war in Ukraine, especially in its initial phase, that the Russian Army clearly suffered or still suffers from enormous problems with the supply of combat troops, and these problems had a significant impact on the failures of the Russian offensives against Kiev and Kharkiv at that time. Thus, the classic saying attributed to various historical leaders, "Amateurs study tactics, while professionals study logistics", is once again confirmed.