Home Americas US, the Netherlands funding transfer of 90 Czech T-72 tanks to Ukraine

US, the Netherlands funding transfer of 90 Czech T-72 tanks to Ukraine

T-72 tank
Photo: Dutch defense ministry

The US defense department and the Dutch defense ministry have reached a trilateral agreement with the Czech Republic for the transfer of 90 refurbished T-72B tanks to Ukraine.

The Dutch defense ministry said Ukraine is expected to receive some of the tanks as early as next month. The country is providing 120 million euros in military aid, of which 45 million euros is intended for a total of 45 T-72 tanks.

The Pentagon announced the agreement as part of a larger, $400 million aid package for Ukraine under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI).

Compared to the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA), under which military equipment is quickly transferred from the Pentagon’s stocks, USAI is an authority under which the US procures capabilities from industry.

The November 4 announcement represents the beginning of a contracting process to provide additional priority capabilities to Ukraine.

The latest round of support will secure funding to refurbish HAWK air defense missiles for inclusion in future presidential drawdown packages, 45 refurbished T-72B tanks with advanced optics, communications, and armor packages, 1,100 Phoenix Ghost tactical unmanned aerial systems, 40 armored riverine boats, as well as funding to refurbish 250 M1117 armored vehicles and communications and surveillance systems.

The overhauled T-72B tanks included in this package are part of a trilateral, coordinated effort with the Netherlands and Czech Republic. Alongside the United States, the Netherlands will provide 45 additional T-72B Tanks with the support of the Czech Ministry of Defense and in cooperation with Czech industry.

These will not be the first T-72 tanks Ukraine is receiving, as Macedonia transferred 31 T-72A tanks to Ukraine this summer.

The Czech Republic confirmed earlier this year it would be receiving 15 Leopard 2 A4 tanks from Germany after sending some of its tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. An official contract for the transfer of an unspecified number of Leopard 2A4s and Buffalo armored recovery vehicles was signed between Germany and the Czech Republic on October 11.