26.11.2021
International SERA training course focused on acquisitions and armaments was held in Prague.
From November 15-19, 2021, an international SERA training course focused on acquisitions and armaments was held in Prague. The event was organized by the MoD Industrial Cooperation Division with the contribution of the MoD Armaments and Acquisition Division and the Czech Embassy in Paris. The Czech Ministry of Defence supported the course financially through the project of economic diplomacy (PROPED). Despite the deteriorating pandemic situation, the SERA 32 course was attended by 46 experts from 18 European countries. The course took place under strict hygienic conditions.
Established in 2010, the prestigious SERA 32 course is organized by the French National Defence College IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Études de Défense Nationale) several times a year in various European countries. The primary goal is to network the representatives of acquisition and armaments organisations from European countries in order to harmonise the procedures within the acquisition processes in the field of defence, including the top management of these institutions. Every year has its main theme - this year's theme was: "European defence and exports within a shifting world order: how to proceed to build a strong EDTIB?" The so-called Czech Week was also attended by VIP guest, Major General Florence Plessix, the Chairwoman of SERA.
The program started with a conference hosted by Acting Deputy Minister for Industrial Cooperation Radka Konderlová, who presented the role of the Industrial Cooperation Division within the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic and its unique position in the support of the domestic defence industry. Opening exposé by Deputy Minister Konderlová was followed by an introduction of the MoD Armaments and Acquisition Division by Filip Gantner and Sabina Anselmo Vieira represented the MoD Defence Policy and Strategy Division. President of the Defence and Security Industry Association Jiří Hynek spoke on behalf of the Czech defence and security industry.
During the week, course participants had opportunities to expand their familiarity with Czech scientific research institutions and defence industries – namely HiLASE and ELI BeamLines laser centres in Dolní Břežany, and the Czech Technical University, where lectures on robotics, artificial intelligence and advanced technology were presented to them. The program also included an on-site presentation of the products of Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod at the Vysočany range and presentation of Passive Surveillance Systems of the ERA company based in Pardubice.
Deputy Minister Konderlová positively evaluated the Czech week of the SERA course: “The Czech Republic was honoured to organize such an important event. I believe that this course served its purpose, which was mutual exchange of information and experience sharing among the participating representatives of European states, not only in the field of armaments and acquisitions, but also in the search for the intersections of possible industrial cooperation. I am also confident, partially thanks to the positive feedback from the course participants, that the high quality of professional lectures and the organization of the past week helped enhance the image of the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Republic. "
