Slovakia has taken a surprising turn in its defence strategy, stepping away from plans to purchase traditional heavy main battle tanks such as the German Leopard 2A8 and the Korean-Polish K2PL Black Panther. Instead, Bratislava is now considering lighter and less expensive alternatives — primarily the Swedish CV90120 and the Turkish Tulpar equipped with the Italian Hitfact II turret. The decision, officially announced in late September 2025, reflects a combination of economic, logistical, and strategic factors that have pushed Slovakia toward a different vision of armoured warfare.
At present, the Slovak Armed Forces operate a modest tank fleet: around fifteen second-hand Leopard 2A4s donated by Germany and roughly thirty ageing Soviet-era T-72M1s, with more in storage. For years, defence planners debated whether to modernise these outdated machines, but the idea was eventually abandoned. The T-72s are now scheduled for complete withdrawal by 2030, leaving a gap in the country’s ground capabilities. By comparison, neighbouring Czechia is on course to field dozens of Leopard 2A4s and T-72M4 CZs, soon to be replaced by the latest Leopard 2A8. Slovakia initially intended to close this gap by acquiring more than a hundred new tanks — enough to equip two mechanised battalions — but these ambitious plans quickly ran into the hard limits of the national budget.
Financial reality has played a decisive role in shaping the new approach. The unit price of a Leopard 2A8 was reportedly almost twice that of the lighter CV90120, and the operating and maintenance costs of heavy tanks would have placed an unsustainable burden on Slovakia’s defence finances. According to local sources, switching to lighter platforms could reduce acquisition and life-cycle expenses by 40 to 50 percent. At the same time, the CV90120 proposal carries the added benefit of involving Slovak industry, particularly the company Koval Systems, as the vehicle would share a production base and components with the CV90 Mk IV infantry fighting vehicles already ordered for Slovakia’s land forces.
Beyond cost, the shift also reflects evolving military thinking. Slovakia’s terrain — hilly, forested, and interlaced with narrow river valleys — is not ideally suited for large, heavy tanks requiring extensive logistical support. Defence officials increasingly favour more agile, modular vehicles that can move rapidly, operate in mixed formations with infantry, and require less infrastructure. In this context, the CV90120, armed with a 120 mm smoothbore gun, and the Tulpar, which can be equipped with either a 105 mm or 120 mm Hitfact II turret, appear more adaptable to Slovakia’s operational environment.
The rejection of the Leopard 2A8 and K2PL, however, comes with trade-offs. Light tanks and fire-support vehicles lack the same level of protection, survivability, and heavy-armour dominance offered by main battle tanks. While they promise speed, lower maintenance needs, and lower costs, they remain more vulnerable to modern anti-tank weapons. Analysts note that this represents a calculated compromise: Slovakia accepts reduced armour performance in exchange for affordability, mobility, and domestic industrial participation.
From a broader perspective, this procurement decision signals a strategic shift within NATO’s smaller member states. Rather than competing for the most advanced and expensive Western tanks, some countries are pursuing cost-effective solutions that still meet alliance standards but better reflect their economic and geographic realities. Slovakia’s move also highlights a growing divide between the heavy-armour logic of Cold War-style warfare and the new emphasis on flexible, networked forces designed for hybrid conflicts and rapid deployment.
Ultimately, Slovakia’s rejection of “classic” tanks such as the Leopard 2A8 and K2PL is more than a procurement story. It encapsulates a deeper transformation of military doctrine, industrial policy, and budgetary pragmatism. The country’s future armoured fleet will likely prioritise mobility and technological integration over sheer weight and armour thickness. Whether this gamble proves effective on a modern battlefield — and whether lighter vehicles like the CV90120 or Tulpar can truly fill the role once occupied by heavy tanks — will be a crucial test for Slovakia’s defence strategy in the years ahead.
