Czech Republic to Equip Army with FPV Drones

20 May, 2024 FPV drone of the Defense Forces of Ukraine. Photo credits: 128th Territorial Defense Brigade The Czech Republic is planning to equip ground units with small FPV drones for reconnaissance and strikes.

Czech army spokeswoman Colonel Magda Dvorakova stated that training courses for operating FPV drones are already underway. A new concept for the Czech army was approved in February 2024, but it did not say much about the massive deployment of drones and drone defense. The situation has now changed.

The reason for this is not only the war in Ukraine, but also the participation of senior military leaders in an initiative to supply Ukraine with thousands of FPV drones. They are assembled in the Czech Republic from parts supplied mainly from Asia. "The final assembly takes place in the Czech Republic.

We have made sure that we can produce all the parts, but it would be economically unfeasible, so we import some things from Asia," the Czech officials said.

Magda Dvorakova. Photo: czechleaders.com

Intensive training of Czech military personnel in UAV piloting will be conducted over the next three years. They will also be practicing methods of mass deployment and the use of drones to carry out combat attacks.

"Currently, we are conducting experimental training courses for small tactical strike FPV drones with individual units," said Magda Dvorakova. The Czech army is also interested in loitering munitions, i.e., kamikaze drones. The Czech military is to receive reconnaissance drones from Israel in the near future.

Heron UAV at the international airport. September 2020. Photo credits: IAI

At the moment, two proposals from Israel are being considered - Hermes and Heron drones.

Previously, the Czech Special Forces have already shown how their soldiers are training to use FPV drones.