21.4.2022
Minister Černochová discussed defence cooperation and Armed Forces modernisation with U.S. Defense Secretary Austin
On her second official foreign trip, Defence Minister Jana Černochová met with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in the Pentagon on Thursday April 21, 2022. The Czech Minister and U.S. Secretary concurred on their shared interest to execute the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA) between the Czech Republic and the United States of America. They also discussed continuing support to Ukraine and options the planned closer cooperation offers for the modernisation of the Czech Armed Forces.
“We are committed to cooperation on modernisation of the Czech Armed Forces. We want to replace the obsolete Soviet-era hardware with new equipment and end dependence on Russia,” Minister Černochová explained and went on to say they discussed with Secretary Austin the options to acquire additional Venom and Viper helicopters by Bell above the 12 units already in production.
The most essential in terms armaments are tank forces and Air Force fighter units, on which the Minister announced the Czech Armed Forces would have a requirement for 24 supersonic aircraft. The Czech Republic will decide on the future equipping of these two branches in the years ahead. The Minister therefore inquired about potential U.S. offer in these two domains.
The DCA should also be instrumental for the Czech defence modernisation endeavour. “The United States has such an agreement in place with 24 out of 29 NATO nations. I believe the time is up for us to join them,“ Minister Černochová said.
Execution of the DCA will be a confirmation for the Czech Republic as a valuable partner of the United States and one enjoying strong defence ties both on foreign operations and in common field training exercises. A specific current example is the emerging NATO Battle Group in Slovakia, with the Czech Republic in the leading role and a U.S. contingent forming a part.
“I am very grateful to the Czech Republic for volunteering to be the framework nation and a major force in the NATO battle group in Slovakia. I also applaud the way the Czech Government supports Ukraine against the invasion by Putin’s Russia,“ Secretary Austin while noting that Czechoslovakia was in the same situation in 1968.
The DCA agreement, which is to be negotiated in upcoming months, is primarily designed to regulate the legal status of the members of the United States Armed Forces authorised to stay in the territory of the Czech Republic as part of the performance of their missions. Nevertheless the DCA does not entitle per se a stay of U.S. forces in the territory of the Czech Republic for a longer period of time. Such stay must be endorsed by the Parliament of the Czech Republic in accordance with Article 43 of the Czech Constitution for an exactly previously agreed period of time.
While negotiations on the DCA are at the very outset, the Czech-U.S. Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement (RDPA) was formally concluded during the meeting of the two top defence officials. The RDPA was endorsed by the previous Czech Government in 2019. It is designed for Czech defence industries to facilitate bidding with their American partners and avoid discrimination.
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