Czech Defence News of the Week (8 February - 15 February 2019)

The National Cyber and Information Security Agency insists the Chinese Huawei and ZTE communications products are a threat to the security of the Czech critical infrastructure – If the U.S. withdrew their forces from Afghanistan, Czech Republic would follow, Minister of Defence said – Nearly 60 % of Czechs do not believe the country is able to defend itself in case of war - Chief of the Military Police Brigadier General Pavel Kříž dismissed and replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Murček.

Chinese Huawei said in letters to Prime Minister Babiš and the director of the National Cyber and Information Security Agency (NÚKIB) it would go to court if NÚKIB does not cancel or adjust its warning against incorporating Huawei technology. Huawei required an answer by 14^th February. Several ministries have withdrawn from contracts with Huawei after NÚKIB’s December warning the use of Huawei’s technology may endanger the security of the state’s critical infrastructure. About 160 organisations within the critical infrastructure frame have been ordered to review their usage of software and hardware made by Huawei and ZTE, and the answer by NÚKIB from Thursday 14^th February maintained the agencie’s position insisting that the Huawei and ZTE producsts should not be used in critical infrastructure.

According to he Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar the Czech Republic would withdraw its troops from Afghanistan should the United States armed forces quit or reduce the mission after a potential agreement with the Taliban. Minister also confirmed the Czech troops will continue their Multinational Force & Observers mission in the Sinai where they operate one of the CASA C-295M aircraft.

See also: Czech Army’s Modernization Projects: CASA C-295M and C-295W; Current Foreign Deployments of the Czech Army

Another survey on the Czech ability to defend the country in case of a war was conducted by the CVVM agency. While 89 % said the sovereignty must be defended at all costs; at the same time 59 % doubt the Czech Republic would be able to defend itself; 51 % does not consider the defence of the country essential since, as a small state, the Czech Republic’s fate is in the hands of major powers – 40 % were of opposite opinion; 54 % of respondents do not think the defence expenditures are exaggerated. The results do not show any important development since last year’s survey.

See also: The Czech Army military equipment overview 2018

Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar has dismissed the Chief of the Military Police Brigadier General Pavel Kříž. The minister said he had been dissatisfied with the conduct of the military police for a long time. On 15^th February General Kříž was replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel Miroslav Murček, who started his carrier as a tank platoon, company and battalion commander, and joined the newly established (1991) military police in 1993. He served as commander of the Military Police in the Olomouc Region for the past nine years. Military Police is responsible for police protection of armed forces, military facilities, military material and state property controlled by the Ministry of Defence.