Today, for the second time in a short time, Minister Jana Černochová held talks with members of the Defence Industry Section of the Chamber of Commerce. They discussed the promotion of government-to-government deals, legislative changes, more intensive involvement of the Czech defence industry in the security and defence system of the state and how to better prepare for and manage crisis situations.

Picture: Minister Jana Černochová today held talks with members of the Defence Industry Section of the Chamber of Commerce for the second time in a short time (from left: Chairman of the Defence Industry Section of the Chamber of Commerce Lubomír Kovařík, Minister of Defence Jana Černochová, President of the Chamber of Commerce Vladimír Dlouhý). | Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic

The Chamber of Commerce appreciates the new approach of the MoD leadership

Vladimír Dlouhý, President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic, and Lubomír Kovařík, Chairman of the Defence Industry Section of the Chamber of Commerce appreciated the new systemic approach of the Ministry of Defence to cooperation with Czech arms companies. "Defence industry companies welcome the fact that the Ministry of Defence under the leadership of Jana Černochová intends to conduct an intensive dialogue with the domestic industry on the medium and long-term needs of the Czech Army," they stressed, adding that Czech armourers are ready to do their best for the needs of the Army.

Reserves of production material are key to ensuring domestic supplies. The Ministry of Defence, with the support of the current Minister, has managed in recent years to prevent the sale of some of these metals from the warehouses of the State Material Reserves Administration, which Jana Černochová and representatives of the Chamber of Commerce consider essential for the successful production of armaments in the future.

Czech companies are part of all strategic projects

The domestic defence industry has been an integral part of any strategic modernisation project for the last few years. The level of involvement in individual contracts is determined on the basis of the real capabilities and capacities of companies, but for major contracts the Ministry requires the involvement of Czech armourers in the order of tens of percent of the contract price.

"For all recently concluded acquisitions, industrial cooperation programmes were signed at the same time. Whether it is the Israeli MADR radars, CAESAR howitzers, SHORAD kit or the American Venom and Viper helicopters," added Minister Černochová, adding that the participation of domestic companies in contracts also has a significant economic effect.

Armourers support improvement of legislation for crisis situations

The latest meeting between representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Defence took place immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Last week, the Czech Government approved a comprehensive plan of legislative changes to strengthen and enhance the response capabilities of the Czech Armed Forces to military and non-military crises and to ensure stable defence funding in the long term. "We are convinced that the involvement of private defence industry companies in the security and defence system of the state is the right step," said Vladimír Dlouhý.

In the context of the conflict in Ukraine, the Czech Republic is one of the leaders in military assistance. In total, it has already donated material in excess of CZK 1.1 billion.

One of the roles of the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic is also to coordinate and cover the collection of the Embassy of Ukraine for the acquisition of military equipment for Ukraine. According to current information, the collection involves approximately 117,000 donors and has already raised more than CZK 1 billion. Out of this amount, approximately 923 million worth of military material has been contracted. CZK. Dozens of companies from the Czech defence industry have joined the collection and offered their products.

According to the Minister, the collection is unique both in the connection of state authorities, the public and the Czech defence industry for a good cause and in the speed and efficiency of the deliveries.

"Armaments companies help us significantly in this effort. I would like to thank them for that. I believe that we will continue this cooperation," said Minister Černochová.