News

Czech Army Ground Forces to showcase the future of the heavy brigade

The presentation of the Czech Army’s ground forces is an inseparable part of NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech Air Force Days. This year, too, the display will reflect the ongoing modernization efforts: alongside a broad showcase of current capabilities, visitors will also see equipment being newly introduced into service, both in static and dynamic demonstrations.

One of the main highlights will undoubtedly be the dynamic display featuring the debut of the Leopard 2A4 tank from the 7th Mechanized Brigade, presented in an intriguing formation with the retiring Soviet-era BVP-2 infantry fighting vehicles and the TITUS KOVS command and communication vehicle. In cooperation with the newcomers from the 22nd Helicopter Air Force Base—the UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters—they will stage an assault on an enemy defensive position, symbolically linking modern equipment with systems nearing retirement. Providing support during the display will be the 91st Information Warfare Group, which will demonstrate methods of psychological warfare using the Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD). In line with the Czech Republic’s NATO commitment to establish a heavy brigade by 2026, the display area will also feature their future successors—the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle and Leopard 2A8 tank, both in industry-standard configurations from BAE Systems and KNDS.

“The Army of the Czech Republic is currently undergoing dynamic modernization, and we want Czech taxpayers to be able to see for themselves, in one place, the new equipment being procured,” says Zbyněk Pavlačík, the event’s main organizer. “For this year’s edition, we have prepared a unique exhibition that will bring together most of the newly acquired and future assets of the Czech Armed Forces. We are also very pleased that representatives of almost all units of the Czech Army’s Ground Forces will take part.”

A prominent role will be played by the 53rd Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Regiment, which will showcase its capabilities both in dynamic demonstrations and in the static exhibition. Reconnaissance troops from the 102nd Battalion will perform a simulated raid behind enemy lines, including insertion from a helicopter and extraction of the entire team together with a captured “enemy.”

But the ground forces’ presentation does not end with live-action demonstrations. Visitors can look forward to an extensive static display as well. In addition to reconnaissance gear and weaponry, this will include the latest communication systems—such as the TITUS-based KOVS vehicles—and cutting-edge assets of the 532nd Electronic Warfare Battalion, including the mobile passive surveillance system DPET and the STARKOM communications jammer. Further expanding the showcase, the 533rd Battalion will present its UAVs: the Vážka A, Raven DDL, and Puma 3AE, all of which play an increasingly important role in reconnaissance and tactical operations.

Also represented will be the 13th Artillery Regiment with its Iveco LOV-Pz light armored reconnaissance vehicle, as well as logistics equipment brought by the 15th Engineer Regiment. Visitors can also see the S-LOV CBRN light armored vehicles from the renowned “chemists” of the 31st Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection Regiment, as well as the Pandur wheeled infantry fighting vehicles of the 42nd Mechanized Battalion. Last but not least, the legendary 43rd Airborne Regiment will present its Land Rover 130 Kajman vehicles. For younger visitors, a variety of military-themed activities will also be prepared.

See you at
the NATO Days in Ostrava
& Czech Air Force Days!