Future of Czech Army in Connection with Social, Economic and Security Developments

October 14th, 2021

Prague Center for Transatlantic Relations (PCTR) organized an invitation-only expert debate focusing on the future of the Czech Army in connection with social, economic and security developments. First Deputy Chief of General Staff of Czech Army, Lieutenant General Jaromír Zůna, accepted an invitation to be a keynote speaker, PCTR Senior Fellow Daniel Koštoval moderated the discussion. It got its timing just a few days after parliamentary elections in the Czech Parliament.

The key messages of Lieutenant General Jaromír Zůna and the following debate focused on the implications of past governmental decisions regarding the development of the Czech Army and on specific ways to increase its value on the modern battlefield. Furthermore, the debate focused on the future needs of the Czech Republic concerning developing the modern and effective Czech Army and the security and defence system of the Czech Republic.

Experts from General Staff of the Czech Army, Ministry of Defense, University of Defense and representatives of key companies engaged in development, production and trade of the military and security equipment joined the discussion. They concluded that our country faces the need to make a series of conceptual decisions regarding the Czech Army and defence system in a difficult economic situation and worsening security environment. They also concluded that the main aim should be to continue increasing the value of the army on the modern battlefield and, therefore, to continue with the modernization and development of the Czech Army.