Czech Defence News of the Week (24 – 31 August 2018)

Author: fb Armáda České republiky|Caption: Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Czech Republic Nicholas Archer in the JAS-39 cockpit

Eldis Pardubice awarded with the contract to supply 62 Titus wheeled armoured vehicles - Prime Minister Babiš reaffirmed the importance of the Czech reliable and active partnership within the EU and the NATO - Tatra Trucks will supply the Army with 31-61 Armoured Container Carriers by Tatra Trucks between 2019 and 2024 - A commission to purchase 1,500 ballistic AirFrame Helmets meant for the Czech Army’s troops which are part of the NRF announced - The contract on purchase of 80 Iveco Light Armoured Vehicles signed - Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Czech Republic Nicholas Archer and RAF Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth visited the 21st Tactical Air Base in Čáslav during the Central Hawk 2018 exercise.

• On 27th August the Ministry of Defence announced it has awarded the contract to supply 62 Titus wheeled armoured vehicles, jointly developed by Nexter Group and Tatra Trucks, to local defence company Eldis Pardubice Ltd. The contractor was changed from Tatra Export to Eldis Pardubice after the Tatra Export failed to obtain a security clearance, and a license from Nexter Systems. Deliveries of the vehicles are scheduled for 2020-2025. The total price is expected to be CZK 6.7 billion (USD 303.1 million). Tatra Export and Eldis Pardubice are both part of Czechoslovak Group (CSG).

See also: Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: Wheeled Command Post Vehicles

• On the same day a meeting of Czech ambassadors was held in Prague. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) reaffirmed the importance of the Czech reliable and active partnership within the EU and the NATO: „Those who speak about the Czech Republic’s departure from the EU, threaten the country’s future,“ he said. He also advocated the Government’s policies on migration and its decision not to join the Eurozone in the foreseeable future.

• On 29th August the Ministry of Defence informed the Governement on a commission of 31 Armoured Container Carriers by Tatra Trucks between 2019 and 2021, with an option to acquire another 30 vehicles in 2022–2024, for a total price of CZK 760 million (USD 34 million, VAT excluded). The Army already operates 12 TATRA T-815 8x8 7 MSH-165-SCA container carriers, procured in 2015 and delivered in 2017.

See also: Armoured Container Carriers - Army to acquire 61 vehicles (by Tatra Trucks)

• The Government has also discussed a commission to purchase 1,500 ballistic AirFrame Helmets by Crye Precision at an estimated price of CZK 37 million (USD 1,7 million, vat excluded). The helmets are meant for the Czech Army’s troops which are part of the NATO Readiness Force (NRF), and would be supplied by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Capellen, Luxembourg. The Ministry of Defence is willing to purchase the helmets without public tendering, the agreement should be signed by the 31st October 2018.

See also: Ballistic helmets – Czech Army to purchase 1,500 AirFrame Helmets

• On 30th August Deputy Minister of Defence Daniel Koštoval and director of the Military Research Institute Pavel Čuda have signed the contract on purchase of 80 Iveco Light Armoured Vehicles for a total price of CZK 5.111 billion (VAT included). The LAVs are to be delivered in 2020-2022.

See also: Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: Light Armoured Vehicles

• On 30th August His Excellency Ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Czech Republic Nicholas Archer and RAF Air Vice Marshal Harvey Smyth visited the 21st Tactical Air Base in Čáslav during the Central Hawk 2018 exercise, which had started on 27th August. Ambassador Archer tried out the air simulator of the L-159 ALCA and Air Vice Marshal Smyth, who is active pilot, experienced a flight on the rear seat of the JAS-39 D Gripen trainer jet.