Czech Defence News of the Week (3rd July – 12th July 2019)

Author: Jana Deckerová, army.cz|Caption: 4th Brigade awarded with the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defence

The 25th anniversary of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade celebrated in Žatec - The 12th Guard Company in Bagram, Afghanistan, achieved an excellent result in the "BAF Best Medic Competition" - Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar and Eldis Pardubice Managing Director Milan Stupka officially handed over TITUS armoured vehicles contract – A contract for the restoration of the 120 mm mortar shells concluded - The Capable Fireman and Rescuer exercise was held at the airport in Kbely, Prague, with about 150 participating firefighters.

• On Wednesday, 3^rd July 2019, a ceremonial opening took place on the square in Žatec to mark the 25^th anniversary of the 4^th Rapid Deployment Brigade. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar, Chief of the General Staff, General Aleš Opata, former commanders of the Brigade, honorary guests from the Czech Republic and abroad. “You have become a reliable part of not only our army but also our allies. Not only in alliance exercises, but also during foreign deployments in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Mali or the Baltic States," Minister Metnar said.  “Some of you have fallen in the fight against Islamic terrorists and have lost the most precious - your life. Not even a year has passed since you lost your comrades and friends who put their lives to their duties in Afghanistan. Therefore, let's dedicate today's celebration to them as they are and will remain heroes for us, which we will always remember, ”the Minister added.

See also: New Czech Airborne Regiment

• The 12^th Guard Company in Bagram, Afghanistan, achieved an excellent result in the "BAF Best Medic Competition", held on 6^th July; five Czech teams won the first three places in the total of 15. The 12^th  Guard Company is now halfway through its six-month deployment in Afghanistan. In October they will be replaced by soldiers of the 43^rd Airborne Battalion.

• On Tuesday, 9^th July 2019, Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar and Eldis Pardubice Managing Director Milan Stupka officially handed over TITUS armoured vehicles contract signed on Friday, 21^st June 2019. France's Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Roland Galharague, French Defence Attaché in the Czech Republic Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Kopecký, acting Deputy Minister of Defence, head of the  Armaments and Acquisition Division of the MoD, Filip Říha, First Deputy Chief of the General Staff Major General Jaromír Zůna and representatives of Eldis Pardubice sro and NEXTER Systems were present. The subject of the contract are 62 TITUS wheeled armoured vehicles, of which 42 are Command Post Vehicles and Communications Vehicles and 20 are artillery fire support coordination vehicles; the contract includes logistic support and operators training. The contract also provides full service support. The value of the order is CZK 6.072 billion (USD 269.5 million) and delivery will take place between 2022 and 2023.

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

• A contract was concluded for the realization of the commision “Purchase of ammunition service 2019/1 - 120 mm mortar shells” between the Ministry of Defence and the Military Technical Institute (VTÚ). The contract was signed by acting Deputy Minister of Defence, head of the  Armaments and Acquisition Division of the MoD, Filip Říha and the Director of the VTÚ Jiří Protiva. The order will ensure the restoration of the 120 mm mortar shells. With this solution the Ministry of Defence avoids the purchase of new ammunition and potentially also necessary ecological liquidation of the existing ammunition, which would be economically disadvantageous. The implementation period was agreed for 2019 and 2020.

See also: Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: Self-Propelled Mortars

• On Wednesday, 10^th July 2019, The Capable Fireman and Rescuer exercise was held at the airport in Kbely, Prague, with about 150 participating firefighters. A helicopter with bucket was deployed (a specialised bucket suspended on a cable carried by a helicopter to deliver water for aerial firefighting). These trainings of military firefighters are organized four times a year by different air bases. It is intended primarily for firefighting units of military air bases and military regions, but it is also regularly attended by the Integrated Rescue System - specifically the fire brigade of the Central Bohemian, Karlovy Vary, Pardubice and Pilsen regions and the fire department of the City of Prague. In addition to the above mentioned, the representatives of the fire brigade of Václav Havel Airport Prague, Brno Airport, Leoš Janáček Airport in Ostrava and Karlovy Vary Airport also participated in the exercise.