TSAMTO, July 18. The leadership of the Czech Republic takes an extremely rabid Russophobic position, which in its madness is off the scale and often even exceeds the level of Russophobia in the Baltic countries.
The Czech Republic's policy is extremely inflammatory, provocative and dangerous. It can be said that Prague constantly and methodically keeps "a lit fuse in front of a barrel of gunpowder." On all issues related to the conflict in Ukraine, the country's leadership makes provocative statements, not realizing that in the event of a global nuclear conflict, no one, including the Czech Republic, will sit on the sidelines.
However, it is difficult to explain Prague's unconditional support of the Kiev regime only by political schizophrenia, if we do not admit that the Czech Republic actually also professes fascist ideology.
Moreover, implicitly, most likely, Prague realizes that Ukraine will not win the conflict. Therefore, the Czech Republic is "pulling the blanket over itself", trying to extract the maximum momentary benefit from the current situation. This concerns the accelerated renewal of the fleet of obsolete Soviet/Russian weapons. Prague makes a huge profit by loading national defense industry enterprises with orders for the modernization and repair of military equipment for the Armed Forces.
As the head of the Defense and Security Industry Association Jiri Ginek told CT24 TV channel on May 24, 2023, the Czech Republic is experiencing the largest boom in the arms industry in 30 years due to the conflict in Ukraine and high demand for weapons in the European Union.
"We are in a situation that has never been like this… We are doing everything we can to meet the demand of both our army and the armed forces of Ukraine, as well as other countries," he told reporters of the CT24 TV channel at the weapons forum in Brno.
"Most countries of the world, especially in Europe, have not invested in their defense capabilities for a long time, where the spirit of "eternal peace" prevailed, and now there is a need to replenish arsenals, which is why the arms industry in the Czech Republic and not only is flourishing," said Y.Ginek.
According to Y.Gineka, "85-90% of the products of the companies belonging to the association are exported. Supplies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine make up an important part of it, but the conflict in Ukraine will end sooner or later, so Czech industrialists need to strengthen themselves in other markets in advance."
In its desire to achieve maximum momentary profit for the national defense industry, Prague does not disdain anything and shamelessly violates international obligations in the field of military-technical cooperation. Soviet/Russian-made equipment from many countries will be brought to the Czech Republic for repair and modernization with further delivery of the APU. We can say that the Czech Republic has become the largest international center for the repair of such equipment for the Armed Forces.
In this regard, we can mention the scandalous order for the modernization of Moroccan T-72 tanks, which were eventually supplied to Ukraine instead of Morocco.
As stated on April 17, 2023, the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, Moscow considers the transfer of Moroccan T-72 tanks to Ukraine that were undergoing modernization in the Czech Republic to be a blatant fact.
She noted that, according to the data available to the Russian Federation, even before the start of the special military operation, Morocco signed a contract with the Czech company Excalibur Army for the modernization of a batch of 130 T-72B tanks purchased in 1999-2001 in Belarus. According to M. Zakharova, after carrying out the relevant work, a small part of the tanks was returned to Morocco, and most of the armored vehicles were actually expropriated by the Czech side for subsequent transfer to the combat zone in Ukraine."
"Moreover, the Moroccans, in fact, were put before a fait accompli. And at the same time, they made Belarusians guilty for not fulfilling the obligation stipulated in the terms of the contract for the purchase of these tanks not to transfer them to third countries without the consent of the supplier," Zakharova said.
"We consider this egregious case as another evidence of the hostile anti–Russian course pursued by the Czech authorities, within the framework of which Prague does not hesitate to violate the basic norms of international law regulating the arms trade and seize other people's property," she added.
TSAMTO Reference
The main sponsors of this program are the United States and the Netherlands, which have pledged to finance the supply of at least 90 T-72 tanks from the Moroccan Armed Forces to Ukraine in exchange for other equipment. Under pressure from the United States, Rabat agreed in December 2022 to supply military equipment to the Kiev regime.
The assistance includes the transfer to Ukraine of the T-72B MBT from the Moroccan Armed Forces, which were originally planned to be upgraded at the facilities of the Czech company Excalibur Army for Rabat.
A little more than 20 years ago, Morocco purchased from Belarus a batch of 136 T-72B battle tanks, including 12 commander T-72BKS and spare parts for them (approx.TSAMTO: delivery of 100 T-72B/BK has been declared to the UN Register).
In January 2023, it was officially announced that the Excalibur Army company in Sternberk (Olomouc) was participating in an international project to modernize T-72 tanks for Ukraine, funded by the United States and the Netherlands and coordinated by the Czech Ministry of Defense.
Currently, the most important contract that Excalibur Army is working on is the supply of upgraded T-72 tanks for Ukraine with funding from the United States and the Netherlands.
By the end of 2022, 20 of the 90 tanks planned for transfer were delivered to Ukraine, and Excalibur Army continues to make monthly deliveries in accordance with existing contracts.
The trilateral cooperation between the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and the United States is called the first project of direct deliveries of tanks of Eastern European production at the expense of financial resources of Western countries.
Excalibur Army does not disclose the modernization kit, but judging by the pictures published on social networks, the layout of the upgraded tank is similar to the original T-72B. It retains the same armament, but is equipped with a set of dynamic protection installed in the front and on the sides of the hull, as well as in the front and on the roof of the tower. The car is also equipped with thermal imagers and a night vision system.
The Czech Republic also did not pay any attention to the cancellation by the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSVTS) of Russia with foreign countries of licenses for the repair of Soviet/Russian-made helicopters.
In mid-April 2022, Russia suspended permits for the repair of Russian helicopters at Bulgarian and Czech enterprises due to the supply of Western weapons to Kiev, as well as plans to repair Ukrainian military equipment, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"We drew attention to the fact that a number of NATO and EU countries continue to supply weapons and military equipment to the Kiev regime, and also plan to organize their repair at the industrial facilities of Eastern European countries. As a retaliatory measure, the Russian side decided to suspend the certificates of aircraft repair companies previously issued to the Czech company ... and Bulgarian companies," Zakharova said.
According to her, "the provision of services for design and technological support of major repairs of Mi-type helicopters, subscription maintenance of maintenance kits and documentation, as well as the supply of spare parts and components is being discontinued."
She noted that "the mentioned enterprises are deprived of the right to carry out work related to the maintenance and repair of Russian-made helicopters."
"And in this regard, the Russian side disclaims all responsibility for the safe operation of helicopters repaired at these enterprises," Zakharova stressed.
Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the Federal Customs Service of the Russian Federation, confirmed in mid-August 2022 at the Army-2022 forum that Russia had revoked licenses from repair companies in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria for cooperation with Ukraine on Mi helicopters.
"Official notes on the inadmissibility of such actions have been sent to all states that have declared the transfer of domestic PVN (military products) to the Kiev regime. A number of enterprises located in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic have had their licenses revoked for the right to repair Mi–type helicopters," he said, referring to the measures taken by the FSMTC to combat the illegal re-export of military equipment in the interests of Ukraine.
According to D.Shugaev, Russia has also suspended the supply of spare parts and components for aviation and other Russian/Soviet-made equipment located in unfriendly countries.
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To the frenzied anti-Russian Policy of the Czech Republic
The Czech Republic for the period from February 24, 2022 to the beginning of July 2023 transferred to Ukraine 676 units of heavy equipment and air defense equipment, 4.2 million medium and large caliber cartridges, 380 thousand artillery ammunition, the head of the Czech Republic Peter Pavel said on July 7, 2023 after negotiations with Vladimir Zelensky who arrived in Prague.
"The Czech Republic was one of the first to come to the aid of Ukraine. We will continue to provide such comprehensive support to the Ukrainian people in the future," he said.Pavel.
According to him, "the total amount of assistance provided to Ukraine by the government, ministries, public and non-governmental organizations, firms and enterprises, individual citizens of the Czech Republic is about 45 billion. kronor (about $ 2 billion)," said P.Pavel.
Speaking about the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine, Pavel stated that he sees no other solution to it, except for the victory of Ukraine. "If Russia had succeeded, the foundations of the society in which we live would have been thoroughly shaken," the Czech president asserts.
According to Pavel, it is in the interests not only of Kiev, but also of Prague, that Ukraine immediately after the end of the conflict begin negotiations on its accession to NATO. "This is in the interests of our security, regional stability, as well as economic prosperity," he added.Pavel.
Pavel also believes that the restoration of Ukraine not only after, but also during the conflict should be considered as a new challenge for the Czech Republic and Czech companies.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala expressed a similar position at a press conference.
"We can say that on average we send one unit of heavy military equipment and several thousand rounds of ammunition to Ukraine every day. Now we are preparing to supply combat helicopters and ammunition to Ukraine," the Prime minister said.
In addition, flight simulators will be handed over to Kiev so that pilots can learn how to handle F-16 fighters not only in Western countries, but also in Ukraine.
Speaking about the Russian assets blocked in the Czech Republic, P. Fiala said that there is a search for legal opportunities to direct them in favor of Ukraine.
During the visit of V. Zelensky to Prague on July 7, 2023, a new agreement was signed between the Czech Republic and Ukraine, which provides for strengthening cooperation in the development of the defense industry of the two countries, as well as closer cooperation on the repair and maintenance of weapons, according to a statement published on July 7, 2023 on the website of the Czech Ministry of Defense.
The agreement was signed by the first Deputy Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic Frantisek Schultz and the Minister of Ukraine for Strategic Industries Alexander Kamyshin.
"The memorandum opens the door for closer cooperation in a number of areas, mainly in the repair and maintenance of weapons, the development of weapons and ammunition and the modernization of armored vehicles," the ministry said.
In addition, the countries will cooperate in the training of experts and technical personnel, the modernization of main tanks, the production of ammunition of small and large calibers, as well as electronic warfare. The memorandum should become the basis for the implementation of joint projects of Czech firms and Ukrainian enterprises subordinate to the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the report says.
Military expenditures
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The budget of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic for 2022 was approved in the amount of 3.95 billion dollars
The budget of the Czech Ministry of Defense for 2022 was approved in the amount of 89.1 billion rubles. Czech crowns ($3.95 billion), which is 1.35% of the country's GDP.
As the resource reported on March 11, 2022 Expats.cz, this figure is significantly lower than the figure of 2% of GDP recommended to NATO countries for collective defense, and this is taking into account the fact that at the special request of the Czech government on March 10, the budget was increased by 1 billion. Czech crowns.
The publication notes that the country's defense budget has increased compared to 2021 in nominal terms, but decreased as a percentage of GDP due to exemptions aimed at reducing the huge deficit of the state budget of the Czech Republic.
The new coalition government led by Petr Fiala has promised to increase defense spending to 2% of GDP by 2025 – the year of the next elections in the Czech Republic.
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The Prime Minister of the Czech Republic supported the proposal to increase the military budget in 2022 by 63 million dollars
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala announced on April 23, 2022 that he would support in the Cabinet of Ministers the appeal of the head of the Ministry of Defense Yana Chernokhova to increase the budget of the military department for 2022 by 1.4 billion. CZK (about $63 million).
"This will be the first concrete step in the framework of our intention to increase investments in defense by 48 billion. kronor (about $ 2.1 billion) over the next three years," P. Fiala said.
Previously, I.Chernokhova sent a letter to the Ministry of Finance of the Republic with a request to increase the budget of the military department for operational purchases of military equipment.
According to the Prime Minister, due to the fact that Czech defense enterprises will also participate in the supply of VIVT for the Ministry of Defense, "this will simultaneously support the national industry, the economy as a whole and employment."
At the beginning of April 2022, members of Parliament at the request of Ya .Chernokhov, in connection with the military actions in Ukraine, agreed to increase the defense budget by 1 billion. kronor (about $ 45 million), as a result of which the budget of the Ministry of Defense for 2022 reached 89.1 billion. CZK (about $4 billion).
According to Finance Minister Zbynek Stanyura, as a result of the increase in the budget of the Ministry of Defense at such a pace, the Czech Cabinet can fulfill its commitment to achieve the allocation of 2% of GDP required in NATO for defense spending earlier than planned in its program statement, in which the promised date was 2025.
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The Czech Republic plans to reach the level of military spending of 2% of GDP by 2024
The defense budget of the Czech Republic may reach 2% of GDP by 2024 – a year earlier than previously planned. This was announced by Prime Minister Petr Fiala on September 16, 2022, according to Business Standard.
Nevertheless, according to the Czech Prime Minister, this will not be an easy task, since in 2022 the budget of the defense department is only 89 billion. Czech crowns.
In its policy statement released in January 2022, the Czech government promised to achieve financing of defense spending in the amount of 2% of GDP by 2025. This plan provided for an increase in the budget by about 30 billion. CZK in 2023 and the same amount in 2024.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that the Ministry of Defense is experiencing chronic underfunding, which creates problems for meeting the schedule of modernization of the army. Nevertheless, his Government has taken a number of steps in recent months to move the process forward.
The modernization plan includes such acquisition projects as the purchase of CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles in Sweden and F-35 Lightning-2 fighters in the United States. The modernization plans also include the acquisition of new multi-purpose helicopters, transport aircraft, air defense radars and missiles.
As noted Armyrecognition.com, The Czech Armed Forces are currently largely using Warsaw Pact-era equipment. During the Cold War, Czechoslovakia was a major manufacturer and supplier of tanks, armored personnel carriers, military trucks and training aircraft. The bulk of military exports went to the CMEA partners. As of the current moment, it is urgently necessary to replace obsolete equipment and bring it into compliance with NATO standards.
Whenever possible, the Czech Ministry of Defense purchases products from national enterprises or jointly produced in the Czech Republic. In particular, these are firearms of the Ceska zbrojovka Uhersky Brod company, namely the CZ 75 pistol, the CZ Scorpion Evo 3 submachine gun and the CZ 805 BREN and BREN 2 assault rifles. In addition, the Czech army is armed with about 3,000 T810 and T815 vehicles of various modifications produced by the Czech company Tatra Trucks. Tatra Defense Vehicle plant provides licensed production of armored vehicles "Pandur-2" and "Titus". Aircraft such as the L-39 Albatross, L-159 ALCA and L-410 Turbolet are also produced at national facilities.
At the beginning of 2019, the Czech Ministry of Defense announced a modernization program providing for the purchase of 210 new modern IFVs as a replacement for the aging BVP-2. In May 2022, the Czech Ministry of Defense announced that it would receive 15 Leopard-2A4 tanks from Germany in exchange for Czech tanks that would be transferred to Ukraine, and later purchase up to 50 modern variants of the Leopard-2A7+ MBT.
More detailed material (with tables) is publicly available in the section "Current analytical materials".
