2.7.2021
Defence investments must not diminish, the security conference at the Prague Castle emphasized
‘I firmly believe that both the new Parliament and Government will continue to appropriately resource the defence, strengthen capabilities and building our defence posture as a reliable, trustworthy Ally’ Defence Minister Lubomír Metnar said at the conference Our Security Cannot Be taken for Granted. This was the eighth edition of the prestigious event, this time taking place in the Ball Games Room of the Prague Castle.
After the recent NATO summit in Brussels, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš reaffirmed in his opening address that NATO membership was absolutely key to the Czech Republic. ‘Thanks to our military professionals, our country is perceived as a reliable and trustworthy partner. NATO guarantees our security and we, in turn, guarantee the security of other NATO nations.’ Prime Minister Babiš also emphasized and praised the assistance the Czech Armed Forces has provided during the coronavirus pandemic.
Metnar: Collective defence must be based on real capabilities and fulfilled commitments
Minister Metnar, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jakub Kulhánek and Slovak Minister of Defence Jaroslav Naď presented their remarks during the panel called Reflections on the 2021 NATO Summit.
Minister Metnar said that the recent NATO Summit clearly concluded that collective defence remains one of NATO’s top priorities and that it needed to be supported by real capabilities and fulfilment of commitments. He also noted that despite the pandemic, the Ministry aims to finalize key armaments projects by the end of this year.
The conference was centred on hybrid and cyber threats. Prime Minister Babiš said the new National Counter Hybrid Strategy authorised in April of this year was one of the most important milestones, ‘especially after what we have established about the explosion in Vrbětice ammunition depot,’ Prime Minister Babiš added.
Minister Metnar pointed out that the seriousness of hybrid activity – such as disinformation campaigns – is multiplied by being backed up by massive national armed forces – both conventional and nuclear. ‘Concentrated propaganda, cyber attacks and disinformation target countries. But they are always backed up by cavalry and tactical missiles, which lend hybrid attacks their credibility.’ According to Minister Metnar, it is vital to continue building our defence capabilities. ‘The Czech Republic is well aware that defence investments simply cannot be avoided. We must show our determination to defend ourselves and thus confirm our reliability in the eyes of our Allies.’
It is not only funding, but also the building of capabilities and contributing to operations, which is vital to the Alliance. Czech military professionals served tours in Afghanistan for nearly two decades and, according to the Minister, have done a tremendous job. The NATO Allies seek to withdraw from Afghanistan by mid-September. According to Metnar, the timing is unfortunate, but the end of military presence of allied units does not mean an end to providing assistance to the country: ‘We are currently discussing with the Allies the most efficient ways to contribute to the training of local forces, which is being prepared by NATO outside of Afghanistan.’
Opata: The pandemic was a strategic shock
According to the Chief of General Staff, General Ales Opata, who presented his speech during the panel Covid as a Strategic Shock, the past year has proven the resilience of our country and mercilessly exposed all of our weak links. He further mentions that the Armed Forces managed the situation thanks to a working strategic leadership. ‘The implementation of military processes proved effective in many cases, because the decisions were made fast,’ he added.
GEN Opata said the covid crisis proved that the Armed Forces are trained for unpredictable situations. ‘Military professionals were immediately able to perform their tasks in hospitals and test facilities as well as to build and manage call and data centres. The Czech Armed Forces also intensively supported other Government institutions and even private organisations.’
However, the Chief of General Staff sees this service as extraordinary. The main task is the preparation for the most demanding scenario – a war. And that is where the Czech Republic is lagging increasingly behind both our Allies and our opponents, General Opata mentioned and emphasized the need for modernisation. ‘I am a great fan of new technologies such as robots, AI or drones, but first, we must have the foundations of the military such as the frequently discussed heavy brigade.’ He pointed out that the Armed Forces needed investments and that the next strategic shock could be a situation where Europe would have to defend itself in a massive military conflict at a moment where the United States would be engaged in a conflict elsewhere.
Kopečný: The role of the private sector is key
Deputy Minister for Industrial Cooperation Tomáš Kopečný spoke on the topic of Security in a time of disinformation. He believes that new technologies are the main challenge in the field of defence and security. He mentions that it is highly positive that both NATO and the EU have achieved a significant progress in this regard over the past three years. ‘This topic resonated at the Summit with unprecedented force.’ One of the examples is the recently established NATO Innovation Fund which is designed to integrate national assets and as well as technological capabilities to the effect of developing new technological platforms for the defence of the NATO nations. According to Deputy Minister Kopečný, the EU is aiming for the same direction.
The private sector plays the key role in technology. ‘Partnership between the private and the public sector, the willingness of private entities, who do not present a security risk but are willing to develop these technologies, are the key challenge which lies ahead.’ Deputy Minister Kopečný also underlined that the Government needs to set up such regulation and support mechanisms which would support our defence capability as a result.
