The government discussed a tender for the purchase of Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles for the Pandur II 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles. The purchase, valued at CZK 681,900,000 excluding VAT, is planned through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which will place a one-time order with the ammunition manufacturer, EuroSpike, based on a framework agreement.

This contract is necessary to fulfill the specified ammunition stock levels required to support combat operations in accordance with Ministry of Defence regulations. The Concept for the Construction of the Army of the Czech Republic 2035, approved by the government, also calls for a significant increase in the stockpile of essential ammunition. Without these munitions, the operational readiness of units equipped with Pandur II 8x8 combat vehicles would be compromised.

EuroSpike is the only manufacturer of the required ammunition within the European Union. The original Israeli manufacturer, Rafael, no longer supplies this ammunition to the EU under the terms of the licensing agreement. Another advantage of purchasing ammunition through the NSPA partnership is the expedited order placement and confirmation process between NSPA and the manufacturer. This method ensures quick electronic processing, high availability, and, notably, a fixed price for all member states as stipulated by a framework agreement between NSPA and EuroSpike.

Spike-LR anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) have been part of many armies’ arsenals worldwide since 2007. In 2018, the next-generation Spike LR2 missiles became operational.

The Pandur II 8x8 wheeled infantry fighting vehicle is primarily designed for ground forces. Its crew includes a driver, a gunner-operator, a commander, and up to seven additional personnel. The gunner-operator controls the MK-44 weapon system, which features a 30mm cannon with high accuracy up to 1,500 meters. The vehicle is also equipped with secondary weapons, including a linked machine gun and Spike-LR anti-tank missiles.