The film follows the story of a group of young men who are assigned to a rather dysfunctional tank battalion in the Czechoslovak Army. The battalion's leader, Lieutenant Doubek, is an alcoholic and spends most of his time in a drunken stupor. The tank drivers are inexperienced and the tanks themselves are old and in poor condition.
The protagonist, Martin (played by Lukáš Vaculík), is a young recruit who is conscripted into the battalion. Despite the challenges, Martin and his fellow tank drivers try their best to train and improve their skills. Along the way, they have plenty of misadventures and comic moments.
However, the situation becomes more serious when the battalion is sent on a mission to guard a nuclear power plant. The plant is suddenly attacked by a group of terrorists, and the tank battalion must spring into action to defend it.
Despite the odds against them, the tank drivers come together and use their skills to defeat the terrorists and save the power plant. The film ends on a triumphant and humorous note, with the tank drivers driving off into the sunset.
Overall, The Tank Battalion is a lighthearted comedy that also touches on themes of duty, friendship, and teamwork. It is a beloved classic in Czech cinema and was a breakout hit for its director, Vit Olmer.