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On the 25th NATO membership anniversary, Czech Armed Forces will present its modernization projects

The visitors of this year’s NATO Days in Ostrava & the Czech Air Force Days can look forward to demonstration of equipment recently added or soon to be integrated into the Czech armed forces' inventory.

On that note, during the 75th anniversary of NATO and the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic's accession, significant acquisition processes and increases in defence spending will be highlighted at both static and dynamic displays.

"I am very pleased that we will be able to showcase the new Venom and Viper helicopters of the H-1 system, which will participate in the dynamic display of the 7th Mechanised Brigade. The joint dynamic demonstration will also for the first time show the equipment being acquired for the heavy brigade - the Leopard 2 tank and the CV-90 armoured vehicle. Visitors will also be able to see other new equipment, including the MADR radar and drones, at the exhibits of specific units," says Major General Petr Čepelka, Commander of the Czech Air Force. "It is an honour that, as part of the Czech Air Force Days, we will also witness the handover of the first L-39NG aircraft for the use of LOM Praha, which will be utilized for the training of future Czech pilots."

Although the Ministry of Defence has affirmed the largest project in the history of the Czech Armed Forces, which is the purchase of 24 supersonic 5th generation F-35 aircraft, the delivery of the first of these machines is expected in the year 2029. The current main Czech combat aircraft, the JAS-39 Gripen, piloted by Captain Ondřej Špánek, will thus be showcased in extraordinary style. In addition to his solo performance, he will also participate in a joint demonstration with the Czech acrobatic group Flying Bulls. Martin Šonka, the world champion in aerial acrobatics, will also show his skills on the Z-142 aircraft from CLV Pardubice.

"The Czech Army is a key participant and one of the organisers of NATO Days. Each year, it also provides the most displays, which confirms the success of the long-standing connection with the Czech Air Force Days," praises Zbyněk Pavlačík, Chairman of Jagello 2000. "We are particularly pleased this year that we will be able to present newly acquired modern equipment during our event, allowing the public to see the Ministry of Defence's acquisitions firsthand and verify the purpose of the invested funds."

A major step forward is the planned transition of the ground forces from the T-72 M4CZ platform to new main battle tanks. The implementation of this project was originally planned for after 2030, however, due to the dynamic change in the security situation in Europe, it has been postponed to between 2027-2030. The plan includes procuring up to 77 of the latest Leopard 2A8 tanks in six variants. Currently, the Czech Armed Forces operate 14 Leopard 2A4 tanks with a modernisation potential to the 2A7+ version, which Germany donated to the Czech Republic in exchange for supplying military material to Ukraine defending against Russian aggression, with an additional 14 expected to be received this and the following year. There are also plans for an additional purchase of these machines to bring the total number of these to 42. This could significantly accelerate the build-up of the heavy brigade and thus fulfil the Czech commitment to NATO Capabilities Targets to build a mechanized brigade by 2026.

Fulfilling this commitment also includes the very significant acquisition of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. By the year 2030, the Czech Armed Forces should receive 246 of these Swedish-made tracked vehicles in a total of seven variants.

Another milestone is the takeover of the first L-39NG aircraft, the successor to the existing L-39 Albatros training aircraft, by LOM Praha. It is on these machines that Czech military pilots will be familiarising themselves with jet aircraft before switching to the F-35.
 

See you at
the NATO Days in Ostrava
& Czech Air Force Days!