Czech defence industry at IDEX 2019 – UAE, Abu Dhabi
Author: Excalibur Army, CSG|Caption: BM-21 MT 4x4 rocket launcher on the Tatra Force chassis
Twenty Czech companies were present at IDEX 2019, international defence exhibition and conference organized in Abu Dhabi, UAE, supported by the Ministry of Defence and the DSIA, Defence and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic.

Official opening of the Czech stand: President of the DSIA Jiří Hynek (left), Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the UAE Jiří Slavík, Minister of Defence Lubomíř Metnar
During his visit Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar confirmed the relevancy of the exhibition: „The United Arab Emirates is an important partner of ours. A high attendance of Czech firms and the existing cooperative ties with partners in the UAE have proven that our industries and businesses rightly boast an excellent reputation and high quality of their portfolios.” Together with his Slovak counterpart Minister Peter Gajdoš, Metnar visited the Czech and Slovak stands.
See also: Defence Minister to support Czech defence industry in the UAE and India
The Czech defence industry companies present were:
- Advanced Design Solution: Manufactures and designs powertrain systems for a wide range of terrain, armored and commercial vehicles.
- AVEC CHEM s.r.o.: Production of filter canisters and other protective equipment for CBRN protection for members of armed forces.
- Česká Zbrojovka a.s.: Manufacturer of pistols, rifles, shotguns, submachine guns, under-barrel grenade launchers, ballistic protection products and accessories.
See also: CZUB - Ceska Zbrojovka Uhersky Brod (founded 1936)
- Czechoslovak Group a.s.: A holding company with firm roots in the Czech and Slovak industrial tradition: Engineering, automotive, rail, aviation and defence industries.
- ERA a.s.: A leading company in multilateration, multistatic surveillance, and reconnaissance technology.
- EVPÚ Defence a.s.: Development, design, production and service of special electro-optical surveillance systems, positioners, multi-sensor containers and relative SW applications.
- Excalibur Army spol. s r.o.: production and sales of military technology and weapon systems for ground forces with more than twenty years of tradition.
See also: Excalibur International – deliveries and production of military vehicles in Thailand
- Meopta - Systems, s.r.o.: Developing, manufacturing and assembling world class optical, opto-mechanical and optoelectronic products.
- MESIT asd, s.r.o.: Research, development and production of military communication systems and aircraft instruments.
- OMNIPOL: An investment and trading group providing cutting-edge solutions for the defence and security sector.
- OPTOKON, a.s.: Producer and supplier of premium active and passive fiber optic components specializing in fully tested integrated data network, FTTx and tactical military solutions.
- ORITEST spol. s r.o.: Supplier of products and services for specialized NBC forces, both in the Czech Army and in all civil parts of integrated rescue systems.
- PBS Velká Bíteš: Aircraft turbojet, turboprop and turboshaft engines for small aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles.
See also: Czech Defence Industry - PBS: Aircraft Engines
- RayService, a.s.: manufacturing and sales company providing comprehensive solutions in the area of cable harnesses, electromechanical assemblies, electronic equipment and cable component delivery for a wide range of aviation and defence customers.
- REDO s.r.o.: manufacturer of high quality products, particularly of Modular Load Carrying Systems designed for Armed Forces and Law Enforcement.
- RETIA, a.s.: Manufacturer of radar technology, command and control systems for the defence and security use, digital recording systems and specialised software.
See also: Retia a.s. - radars, command and control, air defence systems (since 1993)
- Sellier & Bellot a.s.: Production of ammunition for pistols, revolvers, rifles and shotguns since 1825.
- STV Group a.s.: The largest ammunition manufacturer in the Czech Republic. Our wide product range includes ammunition for hand-held weapons, anti-tank grenade launchers, tanks, artillery or for sappers.
- TATRA EXPORT, s.r.o.: Reliable battle tested vehicles with outstanding off-road performance, reliability and mobility; resistance against twisting and bending, comfort and superior payloads thanks to independent air-suspended swinging half-axles and powertrain protected by central backbone tube.
See also: Tatra – trucks and innovative chassis platforms for military vehicles
- Vojenský technický ústav, s.p. (VTÚ): The Military Technical Institute is a state-owned enterprise established by the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic. The institute offers services in the area of defence research, development and innovations, production of functional patterns and prototypes, single-piece and small-lot production, accredited testing and system integration.
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