On 1st August 2019, State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Petr Vančura, by agreement with the Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar, nominated Filip Říha as Deputy Minister - Head of the Armaments and Acquisition Division of MoD. New Deputy Minister won a tender, where there were five candidates. Říha thus confirmed his qualities, which he already demonstrated while representing this division in the past months.

Picture: Deputy Minister - Head of the Armaments and Acquisition Division Filip Říha | army.cz

“Filip Říha has managed the division as Acting Deputy since January of this year and demonstrated both professional and managing skills. The defence department is preparing for several important acquisition projects, and Filip Říha also participated in their preparation. I believe that he will successfully finalize them,” said Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar. 

“I take pleasure in the success in the tender and I'm very grateful for the trust. I will do my best to successfully finish all big projects and I sincerely hope that I will be able to make the functioning of the division even more effective,” explained his priorities Filip Říha.

Picture: Deputy Minister - Head of the Armaments and Acquisition Division Filip Říha (on the left) | army.cz

Hard tasks are waiting for him

The Deputy Minister Říha must demonstrate real courage, but he also must have confidence in each step he takes. A series of significant orders, or better say the biggest in the modern history of the army, are waiting for him. 210 infantry fighting vehicles have to be purchased for 53 milliard CZK. They will replace the end-of-life BVP-2. The Ministry is going to sign the contract by the year end.

Picture: A series of significant orders, including the acquisition of 210 infantry fighting vehicles for 53 milliard CZK, are waiting for Říha

The next big and long-delayed order will be the acquisition of twelve multi-purpose helicopters, for which the Defence wants to pay up to 13 billion. The following contracts are associated with a delivery of hand arms, especially of BREN 2 assault rifles for almost 2 milliard CZK,  two C-295M1 CASA aircraft for 2,6 milliard, 52 155 mm cannons with a price of about 5 milliard, and also an acquisition of at least one thousand off-road vehicles for 2 milliard, which have to substitute end-of-life UAZ and Land Rover vehicles.

Picture: The next big and long-delayed order will be the acquisition of twelve multi-purpose helicopters, for which the Defence wants to pay up to 13 milliard CZK.

Deputy Minister Říha will also be obliged to finish the acquisition of new MADR radars, which are to be purchased within the direct “government - government” line. In general, these are acquisitions worth tens of milliards, which will ensure step-by-step modernization of the army and keeping in step with the Alliance.

Na našich stránkách je možné si přečíst podrobnosti o výše uvedených modernizacích a nákupech (viz níže):

You may read about other modernizations and acquisitions on our website (see below):

The Ministry of Defence is going to conclude a contract for new radars and armoured vehicles within two months
UH-1 Venom for the Czech Armed Forces. Yes or no?
The acquisition of new off-road motor-cars for the Czech Army is accelerating
The Czech Artillery needs a new fire control system and self-propelled howitzers
LRPV Gepard for a new Airborne Regiment?