The Czech government has decided to establish a coordinating group for the protection of the country from unmanned aerial vehicles. This was announced by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala during the opening of NATO Days in Mošnov. According to Radio Prague International, the main goal is to monitor technological developments and to develop appropriate measures.
Experts from the ministries of defense, interior, transport, the Czech Army, the police and other agencies will join the coordinating group to ensure a coordinated response to potential threats.
“We must respond to the danger posed by Russian drones. Our priority is to ensure the safety of citizens and to be ready for any potential threats. That is why we decided to establish, under the National Security Council, a coordinating group for the protection of the state from drones”
– Petr Fiala
According to Fiala, the group will include experts from the ministries of defense, interior, transport, the Czech Army, the police and other agencies.
“This is another step toward maximizing the safety of citizens. In this way, we strengthen our country’s defense against new threats that we observe in close proximity”
– Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala
According to Fiala, this step also aligns with the direction of developing a multi-layer air defense system that goes beyond the use of drones alone, and that the tender to purchase several hundred drones of various types also fits into this concept.
“The fact that we are now finalizing the tender to purchase several hundred drones of different types also fits into this concept”
– Yana Chernohova
In September, the Czech Republic recorded airspace violations by Russian drones; Poland also reported incidents. In response, the Czech Republic dispatched a helicopter unit to the eastern NATO border with three Mi-171Sh helicopters to bolster security. Also in the context of these events, consultations among NATO member countries are ongoing.
On September 12, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced the launch of the operation “Eastern Guard” on the alliance’s eastern flank with the task of neutralizing threats related to the use of drones. The operation will involve resources from several member countries, including Denmark, France, the United Kingdom and Germany. The operation will include both traditional military capabilities and specialized elements related to the use of UAVs. On September 14, Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed a resolution permitting NATO member-state troops to be stationed on Polish territory within the framework of the operation “Eastern Guard.”
Impact on regional security and future steps
These initiatives underscore Prague’s commitment to integrating drone threats into a multi-layer state protection system and to deepen cooperation with NATO allies in the context of ongoing technological development and rising risks in the region’s airspace.