Newsroom
Informal meeting of the EU Member States’ Defence Ministers took place in Prague
30.8.2022
On August 29-30, 2022, Prague was the venue to an informal meeting of Defence Ministers of the European Union Member States. Czech Defence Minister Jana Černochová started the meeting in the Prague Castle on Monday August 29, and the discussion day took place in the Prague Congress Centre on Tuesday August 30. The Ministers primarily entertained Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the negative effects of Russia’s policy on the stability of other parts of the world including the Balkans and Africa. In this regard, the Defence Ministers focused both on further practical support to the defending Ukraine by European countries and on the EU’s military engagement outside Europe. Ministers also debated new instruments with the potential for strengthening the EU Member States’ defence capabilities in a fast and coordinated fashion.
United States to donate eight H1 helicopters to the Czech Republic
23.8.2022
The Czech Republic will receive eight helicopters from the H-1 program free of charge from the U.S. Government the Czech Minister of Defence Jana Černochová confirmed during her visit to the 24th Transport Air Force Base. The Czech Air Force will acquire a total of 20 American machines: ten UH-1Y Venom multirole helicopters, and ten AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters. From 2023 on, they will replace the obsolete Mi-35/24V helos in the Czech Armed Forces.
Ministry of Defence to begin negotiations with Israeli Government on the acquisition of three UAVs
8.8.2022
The Ministry of Defence shall soon open negotiations with the Israeli Government regarding the acquisition of three HERON 1 UAVs with accessories, including ground control stations, data terminals, transport containers and additional materiel. The acquisition arises from the Czech Armed Forces Development Concept, which identified this equipment as key for aerial reconnaissance, as well as other tasks of direct combat support and protection of Czech Armed Forces’ units.
Czech Armed Forces to help provide air defence coverage to Slovakia’s airspace starting September
27.7.2022
The Czech Government deliberated the assistance to Slovakia with the protection of its airspace. The Czech Republic will perform air policing with JAS-39 Gripen aircraft from September 2022 until the end of 2023 with possible extension. Poland will also contribute to the defence of Slovak airspace. Slovakia officially requested the Czech assistance on June 18. A joint declaration, which should be signed soon, specifies the concept of operations.
Modern technologies to change the game, the West must not stay behind
21.7.2022
Enhancing cooperation in the area of joint research, development, and acquisition of military materiel and technologies, as well as a greater focus on the Emerging and Disruptive Technologies and on strengthening the cooperation between the EU and NATO – those are the principal takeaways from the conference named Importance of Modern Technologies for European Defence and Security. Second in the series of conferences organised by the Ministry of Defence as part of the Czech Presidency, this conference was held in Prague on July 19-20th, 2022.