Czech Defence News of the Week (22 February – 1st March 2019)

Caption: 25th Air Defence Missile Regiment during Trident Juncture 2018

Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček met with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to discuss cyber-security, and the situation in Syria and Afghanistan – the media speculate on possible replacement of the head of the National Cyber Security Center (NÚKIB) following the Huawei case - Czech, Slovak and Polish industrial regions with large communities of foreign workers will be regularly policed by joint patrols of the Czech, Slovak and Polish policemen - On 25th February Aero Vodochody celbrated its 100th Anniversary - In 2018 The Czech Army participated at 15 military operations and missions in 15 countries of the world, with almost 1100 soldiers serving abroad – Aero India attended by the Czech Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar.

• On 22^nd February, during his visit to the United States, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček, met with his U.S. counterpart, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, to discuss cyber-security, and the overall situation in Syria and Afghanistan. According to Petříček, the U.S. administration welcomes the Czech Republic’s stance towards the cyber-security risks in case of the Chinese company Huawei. He also said the Allies needed a clear plan for Afghanistan “not to suprise each other by statements on possible withdrawal.” Petříček also invited Mike Pompeo to visit the Czech Republic, eventually for the NATO Days 2019.

See also: NATO Days 2018 – biggest defence and security show in Central Europe

• The U.S. administration may be pleased with the Czech reaction concerning the Huawei company, yet according to the media, the head of National Cyber Security Center (NÚKIB) might be replaced consequently. NÚKIB’s Dušan Navrátil has been criticised since the cyber-security Center issued its warning that the use of Huawei’s technology may endanger the security of the state’s critical infrastructure. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has criticised Dušan Navrátil saying he had failed to explain his warning to the technology company, which also was publicly supported by President Miloš Zeman.

The National Cyber and Information Security Center/Agency (NCISA) is the central body of state administration for cyber security, including the protection of classified information in the area of information and communication systems and cryptographic protection. It is also in charge of the public regulated service of the Galileo satellite system. It was created on 1^st August 2017.

• On 25^th February Aero Vodochody celbrated its 100^th Anniversary. Czech Defence Journal wishes all the best! Read more: Aero Vodochody celebrates 100 years

See also: Aero Vodochody – producer of famous trainers (founded 1919)

• During a press conference held on 27^th March the Minister of Interior Jan Hamáček said that the Czech, Slovak and Polish industrial regions with large communities of foreign workers will be regularly policed by joint patrols of the Czech, Slovak and Polish policemen. Dozens of Slovak and Polish policemen will regularly visit towns in the Czech Republic which feature large number of foreign workers, such as Mladá Boleslav in Central Bohemia or Plzeň in Western Bohemia.

• On 27^th February the supreme commanders of the Czech Army gathered at the Ministry of Defence to evaluate and discuss last year’s missions, exercises, and among other subjects, the recruitment. The recruitment reached 113 % of the planned numbers in 2018, with another 813 members of the Active Reserves joining the corps. The Chief of General Staff General Aleš Opata said this was a very good result especially when compared to the other armed corps, including the Czech Police, which struggle to complete their ranks. In 2018 The Czech Army participated at 15 military operations and missions in 15 countries of the world, with almost 1100 soldiers serving abroad, with the NATO Enhanced Forward Presence to strenghten the eastern part of the Alliance being the essential mission. It also took part at the biggest Alliance exercise: the Trident Juncture in Norway.

See also: Trident Juncture 18 live training ends (7th November 2018)

• After Abu Dhabi, the business trip of Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar led to India to one of the biggest defence exhibitions in the world Aero India, which was officially launched with an airshow. Eleven Czech companies exhibited their products and services at the expo and the Minister sat down to a range of meetings to support the Czech defence industry.

Read more: Minister Lubomír Metnar visited India to attend the largest defence exhibition in the world