Czech Titus 6x6 wheeled armored vehicles. What they are, why they are and what will they do in context of Czech Armed Forces π¨πΏ. THREAD
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Titus was developed as a joint project between #french π«π· @Nexter_Group and #Czech π¨πΏ Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV). Its build on Tatra 815-7 Force chassis, have protection of NATO Stanag lvl 2-4 and modern architecture.
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In 2019, Czech MoD ordered 62 Titus 6x6 in three modifications. 20 MKPP (fire support coordination), 36 KOVS (signals) and 6 pieces of KOVVΕ (command staff) for little over 6 bln CZK (260 million Euro). First have already arrived. All 62 will be delivered 2023-2024
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All these machines are build domestically by Tatra Defence Vehicle. They have NATO STANAG 4569 level 3 ballistic and level 3a/3b antimine protection, EW systems, radio initiated explosives jammers made by czech URC Systems, advanced communication equipment and more.
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Its signals hardware and software equipment is capable of data transfer and both unsecured and secured (up to NATO SECRET) voice and data connection in VKS, UKV, KV and Satcom (satellite communication).
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Meaning that Titus is able to send and receive secured information All versions will be used on tactical level (battalion/regiment/brigade) and big focus was put on interoperability with NATO allies in situation of multinational operations, so Titus can provide C2 also there
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So. KOVS and KOVVΕ versions are for high-end automated C2 from battalion up to brigade level and MKPP is for C2 of artillery units from brigade down to battery level. It will both coordinate and control fire support. This is big step for "new generation signals project"
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Back to Czech Titus itself. All these high end systems are integrated by Czech Retia company. Titus is also using advanced #polish π΅π± #fonet digital comm platform made by @WBGroup_PL for C4I. Architecture of Titus is really unique and provides good solution for the task
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As you could see, these versions of Titus have crew of 4. 1 driver plus 3 operators (MKPP has crew of 5, 4+1), every one with his own digitalized workstation.
It shoudl be no surprise that all 62 Titus will come with Czech multispectral camo nets
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Now about mobility. Titus is powered by strong Cummins ISM engine and thanks to Tatra chassis it shows great offroad mobility (slightly better than traditional 8x8 IFVs/APCs). It has max speed of 90 km/h and range of 800 km with full fuel tank
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So 62 were ordered as of now and they will replace old platforms in service of AΔR. Greatly enhancing C2 and fire support capabilities of Czech forces not inly inside of Czech Army, but also as a part of NATO thanks to interoperability. Still 62 wont be enough...
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So by 2025-2027 another batch is planned for about 3 billions CZK, meaning about 30 more vehicles will be bought (maybe more in the end). To replace all old C2 platforms not only in artillery and combat units, but also CSS and rest of CS units (engineers, logistics, etc)
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Meaning that Titus will become main pillar command and control platform (and fire support coordination and C2 platform) of Czech Armed Forces for next decades. Highly capable, domestic, build for the task and using solutions that will still make it relevant in the future.
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As of now, more versions of Titus are being developed, such as Ambulance, APC (with 20mm cannon and 10 soldiers dismount), engineer mobility platform, service vehicle, logistic vehicle or self propelled mortar (that one is unlikely for fielding)
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Titus is already using same chassis like Czech logistics Tatra 815-7 (4x4 cisterns, 6x6 flatbed and 8x8 multilift), EW, artillery, air-defence and future engineering vehicles, but this could add another level of unification. Also TDV is registering several foreign interests
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So Titus is the future and together with other new platforms (in smaller numbers) like Pandur II KOVVΕ and KOVS it will provide complex C2 for Czech Armed Forces on its own, or as part of multinational force
So not only Lithuania but also Estonia wants to build combat division under its land forces. Both nations are buying Himars, air defence (NASAMS and IRIS), artillery (39 Caesar/Pz2000 and 56 K9), and both want new tank battalion with 50+ pieces. Plus new IFV/APC
Way to go! π±πΉπͺπͺ
This buildup is understandable but at the same time, incredible if we take into account population of these two states. Lithuania now wants to buy 120 Vilkas 8x8 IFVs (on top of almost 90) is buying Caesar NG and politicians want permanent German base on Lithuanian territory. 2/x
Estonia bought 100 new APCs, Negev NG7 machine guns, Himars and wants to buy 18 K9 Thunder howitzers on top of 36 already ordered. Also land based ASM Blue Spear were ordered. Estonia wants british element (mechanized brigade) as a part of its division structure. 3/x
New #czech IFVs π¨πΏ. What we know so far? THREAD
246 CV-90mk.IV, most of them IFVs armed by 30mm D-series turret with Trophy APS were bought. Plus 29 mobile workshops on Tatra 8x8, for almost 2,5 billion Euro. There will be 7 versions of CV-90 for Czech Army.
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190 with 30mm turret and Spike ATGM:
141 - IFV 31- command IFV
18 - recon IFV
56 with heavy machine gun RCWS (minus 16 ambulances)
These versions really make me happy, because thats enough for whole 7th mechanized brigade, plus reserve pieces to replace damaged ones (broke down in peacetime or destroyed in war). Also both combat units, engineers and medical unit will get new unified IFV/APC
Czech paratroopers flexing new army goodies. AΔR bought Minimi Mk.3 7.62 as its new main combat machine gun. Of course, attachments are good effectivity enhancement. Meet Tilo 6MA (on the helmet) and TigIR 6M (on the CZ Bren 2) Thermal imaging units. THREAD 1/x
TigIR 6M is the newest available and one of the most advanced (while shortest) Thermal imager. It is capable of Thermal signature detectionat at 3 km range. 2/x
Tilo is the smallest thermal imaging unit in the world. 6MA is of course its most advanced version. It can be clipped on your optic or collimator, or you can use it as a helmet attached monocular IR goggle. It is capable of detecting heat signature at 1 km range. 3/x
Czech VSHORAD (and SHORAD/MRAD) now and near future π¨πΏ. THREAD
Beauty of RBS-70(NG). Transportability. Members of Czech anti air defence are able to move this system by their standard Tatra 815-7 6x6, helicopter, Dingo 4x4 or on ATVs. 1/x
Currently members of 25th anti-air rocket regiment VSHORAD unit are using both RBS-70 and 70NG systems (16 + 16) and for 70NG, Bolide mk.3 missiles were bought. Also Saab camo net quick release covers are in use 2/x
RBS-70NG is capable of engaging targets at distance of more than 9 km. Even though it is easily transportable, AΔR (Czech armed forces) decided that they need new VSHORAD system that will be capable of defending maneuvre combat units while on the move. 3/x
Okay. Let me clear the air about Leopards, Leopards 2A8 to be specific, that should be ready for serial production by 2025 and Czechia wants tu buy up to 77, including support versions.
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So far we know, that Czechia wants 77 tanks with 48 of them to be MBTs plus around 8 command. So 56 total of combat Leo2A8 (rest of 77 will be said support).
Czech defence minister ΔernochovΓ‘ was authorized two days ago to start preparing the deal, but talks are in progress 2/x
For about half a year now. It should come as a little surprise, that Czechia wants Leopards. They were our number one new tank candidate for a long time now. Not Abrams, not K2, but Leopard. Leopard2A8 being the most modern version seems like a perfect solution. 3/x
Let me tell you more info about this interesting system. These inflatable decoys made by czech company Inlfatech are made of synthetic silk so they are light and durable. This STARKOM (Czech Army EW system) decoy weighs just 32 kg. What is more interesting is, that they have 1/3
Heat emitors and radar reflectors inside. Meaning it looks like a real vehicle under thermovision or on Radar. According to the company and tests, current drones with most advanced sensors cant tell decoy from real thing on 1 500 metres. They are being fielded by Czech Army 2/3
Inlfatech have been sending its decoys to Ukraine since the start of the war. 3/3