Czechoslovak Army (WFAC)

Czechoslovak Army
Československá armáda (ČSA) Československá armáda (ČSA)
Coat of arms
Roundel
Founded	28 October 1918
Service branches	Land Forces Air Force Home Guard Cyber Force
Headquarters	Prague, Czechoslovakia
Leadership
President of Czechoslovakia	Zuzana Čaputová
Prime Minister	Robert Fico
Minister of Defence	Roman Váňa
Chief of the General Staff	General of the Army Aleš Opata
Manpower
Military age	18 years
Conscription	Yes, all males and females between 18 and 27
Available for military service	3,827,807, age 15–49
Fit for military service	3,158,913, age 15–49
Active personnel	150,600
Reserve personnel	12,000 + 40,000 volunteers in the Home Guard
Expenditures
Budget	CSK 155.5 billion / USD 5.81 billion / EUR 6.54 billion (2019)
Percent of GDP	2.1% (2019)
Industry
Domestic suppliers	Škoda Defence ČZ Group Tatra Aero Vodochody
Foreign suppliers	United States Template:Country data Germany Germany Soviet Union United Kingdom

The Czechoslovak Army (Czech: Československá armáda, ČSA) is the unified armed forces of Czechoslovakia and their civil administration and procurement authorities. As defined by the Czechoslovak Law No. 219/1946 Coll., all matters of defense fall into the sole responsibility of the federal government.

The Czechoslovak Army consists of the Land Forces (Pozemní síly), Air Force (vojenské letectvo), Home Guard (Domobrana), Special Forces (speciálné síly) and the Cyber Force and Information Operations (Kybernetické síly a informační operace). As of 31 July 2017, the Czechoslovak Army has a strength of 150,600 active soldiers.

Within its self-declared status of neutrality from 1949 to 1997, the Czechoslovak Army's main purpose during the Cold War was the protection of Czechoslovakia's neutrality. However, Czechoslovakia also had a long and proud tradition of engaging in UN-led peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions. In 1997 Czechoslovakia became a member of NATO.

History

1918–1938: Creation and interwar era

After the break-up of Austria-Hungary and the creation of the Czechoslovak Republic on 28 October 1918, a new Czechoslovak army was formed. Although there were speculations that the army would be replaced by a militia in the new state, this concept was abandoned and the new Czechoslovak government adopted military laws modeled after Austro-Hungarian Army patterns. Volunteer organizations were the first to be established, which mostly consisted of former Czech soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army. They were gradually joined by units of the Czechoslovak legions in Italy and France, which, however, were subordinated to commanders from these countries. Due to a lack of experts, a contract was concluded on 20 January 1919, stipulating that the chief of the French military mission would also be the Chief of Staff of the Czechoslovak Army. In 1920, the last volunteer corps was dissolved and incorporated into the Czechoslovak Army. At the same time, the Czechoslovak legions returned from Russia, thus gaining the army of other experienced soldiers.

1938–1945: World War II

The German invasion of Czechoslovakia began on 1 October 1938. Despite heavy Czechoslovak resistance and the cover of the border fortifications, the Wehrmacht quickly overran half the country. After the Czech defeat in the Battle of Brno and the capitulation of Prague on 21 October 1938 the Germans gained an undisputed advantage. Czech forces, having withdrawn to Moravia and Slovakia, were preparing for a final stand. On 18 October 1938 the Hungarians launched their invasion of the Slovak part of Czechoslovakia despite low ammunition and supply stockpiles. Although a Hungarian offensive was anticipated, which also motivated Slovak soldiers to fight against the invaders, it rendered the Czech plan of defense obsolete. Facing a second front, the Czechoslovak government concluded the defense of Moravia and Slovakia was no longer feasible and ordered an emergency evacuation of all troops to Poland and Romania. On 5 November, following the Czechoslovak defeat at the Battle of Topoľčany, German and Hungarian forces gained full control over Czechoslovakia. The success of the invasion marked the end of the Czechoslovak Republic, though Czechoslovakia never formally surrendered.

Following the country's fall, Czechoslovak soldiers began regrouping in what was to become the Czechoslovak Legion in France and in the Soviet Union, both loyal to the London-based Czechoslovak government-in-exile. Following the fall of France in 1939, the Czechoslovak Legion was reformed in Britain. Later that year, Czechoslovak troops began to form in Palestine, which distinguished itself in the Battle of Tobruk and later in the Italian Campaign. Both the Czechoslovak Legion in the West and the Czechoslovak Legion in the USSR were supported by the Czechoslovak Air Force.

During the war, many Czechoslovak soldiers were involved in the domestic anti-Nazi resistance or worked in the guerrilla (partisan) resistance both in Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia, primarily represented by the Obrana Naroda (ON). In 1945, the soldiers actively participated in the May Uprising, which was one of the factors behind the collapse of the front and the rapid liberation of the Czech lands at the very end of the war.

1945–1990: Cold War years

Following World War II, the Czechoslovak Army comprised a diverse inventory of Soviet, British and American vehicles and weaponry inherited from the Czechoslovak Legions which fought on the Western and Eastern fronts.

On 4 April 1951, Czechoslovakia issued its Declaration of Neutrality, in which they pledged that it would never join a military alliance. As a result, the main purpose of the Czechoslovak Armed Forces was the protection of Czechoslovakia's neutrality. During the Cold War years, Czechoslovakia tried to balance its purchases between Soviet, western and domestic producers. This led to a diverse inventory of Soviet, British, German, American and Czechoslovak equipment.

Within its self-declared status of neutrality from 1951 to 1997, Czechoslovakia developed a long and proud tradition of engaging in UN-led peacekeeping and other humanitarian missions. Until the end of the Cold War, Czechoslovakia was among the leading UN contributors, usually being between the second and fifth largest contributor on the monthly list of UN troop-contributing countries with some 800-1,200 troops. It enjoyed a reputation as a reliable and experienced contributor. The first Czechoslovak troops were deployed in 1956 in UNEF I. After the closure of UNEF I in 1967, Czechoslovakia’s next major peacekeeping deployment was to UNEF II (1973 to 1979) and UNIFIL in Lebanon (since 1978). Czechoslovak forces also participated in UNFICYP (Cyprus, 1981–1989) and UNIFIG (Georgia, 1991–1995). The peak of Czechoslovakia’s contributions to UN peacekeeping came during the 1980's when its total contributions within UNIFIL peaked at 2,000 personnel due to a battalion size troop rotation. Czechoslovak officers also served as force commanders in numerous UN operations, including UNIFIL (1988–1991).

Since 1990: Modern day

Current deployments (2020):

• Lithuania: NATO Operation (NATO Enhanced Forward Presence) - 230 soldiers
• Latvia: NATO Operation (NATO Enhanced Forward Presence) - 60 soldiers
• Afghanistan: NATO Operation (Resolute Support Mission) - 390 soldiers
• Baltic states: NATO Operation (Baltic Air Policing) - 95 soldiers, 5x Jas 39 Gripen
• Mali: EU military training mission (EUTM Mali) - 120 soldiers
• Mali: UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) - 5 soldiers
• Somalia: EU Operation Atalanta (NAVFOR) - 3 soldiers
• Sinai: International peacekeeping force (MFO) - 18 soldiers
• Mediterranean Sea: EU military operation (EU Navfor Med) - 5 soldiers
• Golan Heights: UN peacekeeping mission (UNDOF) - 3 soldiers
• DR Congo: UN peacekeeping mission (MONUC) - 2 military observers
• Mali: UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSMA) - 2 military observers
• Central African Republic: UN peacekeeping mission (MINUSCA) - 3 military observers

List of Chiefs of the General Staff

No.	Name	Portrait	Rank	Tenure		Defence branch
				Start	End
1	Lev Prchala (1892–1963)		General of the Army	1 August 1945	26 April 1950	Army
2	Sergěj Ingr (1894–1956)		General of the Army	26 April 1950	17 June 1956	Army
3	Karel Janoušek (1893–1971)		General of the Army	17 June 1956	28 July 1960	Air Force
4	Ludvík Svoboda (1895–1979)		General of the Army	17 June 1960	19 April 1966	Army
5	Karel Rusov (1924–2013)		General of the Army	19 April 1966	26 November 1977	Army
6	Miloslav Blahník (1927–)		General of the Army	26 November 1977	13 October 1983	Army
7	Miroslav Vacek (1935–)		General of the Army	13 October 1983	6 November 1987	Army
8	Anton Slimák (1941–)		Lieutenant General	6 November 1987	14 March 1991	Army
9	Jiří Nekvasil (1948–)		Colonel General	14 March 1991	1 September 1994	Army
10	Jozef Tuchyňa (1941–2019)		General of the Army	1 September 1994	19 August 1998	Army
11	Jiří Šedivý (1953–)		General of the Army	19 August 1998	1 December 2002	Army
12	Ľubomír Bulík (1957–)		General of the Army	1 December 2002	1 March 2007	Army
13	Vlastimil Picek (1956–)		General of the Army	1 March 2007	30 June 2012	Air Force
14	Petr Pavel (1961–)		General of the Army	1 July 2012	1 May 2015	Army
15	Josef Bečvář (1958–)		General of the Army	1 May 2015	1 May 2018	Army
16	Aleš Opata (1964–)		General of the Army	1 May 2018	Incumbent	Army

Structure

Many of the duties of the President of Czechoslovakia can be said to be ceremonial to one degree or another, especially since the President has relatively few powers independent of the will of the Prime Minister. One of those is the status as commander-in-chief of the military; no part of these duties can take place but through the assent of the Prime Minister. In matters of war, he is in every sense merely a figurehead, since the Constitution gives all substantive constitutional authority over the use of the armed forces to the Federal Assembly. In fact, the only specific thing the constitution allows the President to do with respect to the military is to appoint its generals – but even this must be done with the signature of the Prime Minister.

The structure of the Czechoslovak Armed Forces consists of four branches:

• General Staff of Czech Armed Forces (Prague)
  • Czechoslovak Land Forces (Prague)
  • Czechoslovak Air Force (Prague)
  • Czechoslovak Home Guard (Bratislava)
  • Czechoslovak Special Forces (Prague)
  • Czechoslovak Cyber Force (Prague)

Land Forces

• Land Forces HQ: Olomouc
• Land Forces Commander: Brig.Gen. Ladislav Jung

Combat forces

• 1st Tank Division (Příbram) – cooperating with the German 10th Panzer Division
  • 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade (Žatec)
    • 41st Mechanized Battalion (Žatec) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 42nd Mechanized Battalion (Mladá Boleslav) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 43rd Light Motorized Battalion (Jindřichův Hradec) – 30 x Iveco LMV and 20 x Pandur II
  • 1st Tank Brigade "General Julius Fišera" (Prague)
    • 1st Tank Battalion (Slaný) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 2nd Tank Battalion (Strašice) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 1st Mechanized Battalion (Rakovník) – 30 x PVP Puma
    • 2nd Mechanized Battalion (Plzeň) – 40 x Pandur II
  • 3rd Tank Brigade "General Jaroslav Eminger" (Tábor)
    • 5th Tank Battalion (Písek) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 6th Tank Battalion (Tábor) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 5th Mechanized Battalion (Benešov) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 6th Mechanized Battalion (Týn nad Vltavou) – 40 x Pandur II

• 2nd Mechanized Division (Kroměříž)
  • 1st Mechanized Brigade "General Lev Prchala" (České Budějovice)
    • 11th Mechanized Battalion (Český Krumlov) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 12th Mechanized Battalion (Prachatice) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 13th Tank Battalion (České Budějovice) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 14th Mechanized Battalion (Vimperk) – 40 x Pandur II
  • 3rd Mechanized Brigade "General Ludvík Svoboda" (Kroměříž)
    • 31st Mechanized Battalion (Hodonín) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 32nd Mechanized Battalion (Mikulov) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 33rd Tank Battalion (Jihlava) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 34th Mechanized Battalion (Znojmo) – 40 x Pandur II
  • 7th Mechanized Brigade (Hranice)
    • 71st Mechanized Battalion (Hranice) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 72nd Mechanized Battalion (Přáslavice) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 73rd Tank Battalion (Přáslavice) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 74th Mechanized Battalion (Bučovice) – 2 x BVP-M2 Šakal, prepared for new BVP Puma (28 x)

• 1st Mechanized Division (Topoľčany)
  • 2nd Mechanized Brigade "General Rudolf Viest" (Topoľčany)
    • 21st Mechanized Battalion (Topoľčany) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 22nd Mechanized Battalion (Nitra) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
    • 23rd Tank Battalion (Levice) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 24th Mechanized Battalion (Trenčín) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal
  • 5th Mechanized Brigade (Martin)
    • 51st Mechanized Battalion (Martin) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 52nd Mechanized Battalion (Zvolen) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 53rd Tank Battalion (Banská Bystrica) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 54th Mechanized Battalion (Lučenec) – 40 x Pandur II
  • 2nd Armoured Brigade "General Augustín Malár" (Bratislava)
    • 3rd Tank Battalion (Vajnory) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 4th Tank Battalion (Hlohovec) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 3rd Mechanized Battalion (Sereď) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 4th Mechanized Battalion (Bratislava) – 40 x Pandur II

• 3rd Mechanized Division (Prešov)
  • 4th Armoured Brigade (Humnné)
    • 7th Tank Battalion (Humenné) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 8th Tank Battalion (Trebišov) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 7th Mechanized Battalion (Michalovce) – 30 x BVP Puma
    • 8th Mechanized Battalion (Trebišov) – 40 x Pandur II
  • 6th Mechanized Brigade (Prešov)
    • 61st Mechanized Battalion (Kežmarok) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 62nd Mechanized Battalion (Rožňava) – 40 x Pandur II
    • 63rd Tank Battalion (Prešov) – 31 x Škoda T-82M4
    • 64th Mechanized Battalion (Zvolen) – 30 x BVP-M2 Šakal

Combat Support Forces

• 12th Artillery Regiment (Jince)
  • 131st Artillery Battalion (Jince) – 4 batteries with 6 x 152mm SpGH DANA M2
  • 132nd Artillery Battalion (Jemnice) – 4 batteries with 6 x 152mm SpGH DANA M2
  • 133rd Artillery Battalion (Pardubice) – 4 batteries with 6 x 152mm SpGH DANA M2
  • 134th Rocket Battalion (Terezín) – 3 batteries with 6 x RM-70 Vampir 4D
  • STAR Battery (Jince) – ARTHUR Artillery Tracking Radar, Sněžka Surveillance and Reconnaissance System)

• 13th Artillery Regiment (Senica)
  • 131st Artillery Battalion (Senica) – 4 batteries with 6 x 152mm SpGH DANA M2
  • 132nd Artillery Battalion (Brezno) – 4 batteries with 6 x 152mm SpGH DANA M2
  • 133rd Artillery Battalion (Michalovce) – 4 batteries with 6 x 152mm SpGH DANA M2
  • 134th Rocket Battalion (Rožňava) – 3 batteries with 6 x RM-70 Vampir 4D
  • STAR Battery (Jince) – ARTHUR Artillery Tracking Radar, Sněžka Surveillance and Reconnaissance System)

• 15th Engineer Regiment (Bechyně)
  • 151st Engineer Battalion (Bechyně)
  • 152nd Engineer Battalion (Bechyně)
  • 153rd Engineer Battalion (Olomouc)
• 16th Engineer Regiment ()
  • 161st Engineer Battalion ()
  • 162nd Engineer Battalion ()
  • 163rd Engineer Battalion ()
• 31st Regiment of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection (Liberec)
  • 311th Battalion of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection, in Liberec
  • 312th Battalion of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Protection, in Liberec
  • 314th Weapons of Mass Destruction Warning Centre, in Hostivice

• 53rd Regiment of Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare (Opava)
  • 102nd Reconnaissance Battalion "General Karel Paleček" (Prostějov)
  • 103rd Reconnaissance Battalion "" (Žilina)
  • 532nd Electronic Warfare Battalion (Opava)
  • 533rd Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battalion (Prostějov)
  • ISR Centre (Opava)

Combat Service Support Forces

• 14th Logistic Support Regiment (Pardubice)
  • 141st Supply Battalion (Pardubice)
  • 142nd Maintenance Battalion (Klatovy)
  • 143rd Supply Battalion (Lipník nad Bečvou)
• 17th Logistic Support Regiment (Pardubice)
  • 171st Supply Battalion (Pardubice)
  • 172nd Maintenance Battalion (Klatovy)
  • 173rd Supply Battalion (Lipník nad Bečvou)
• MOD's Logistics Agency has been building the Host Nation Support (HNS) Battalion in Rakovník since October 2018. HNS Battalion is not part of the Land Forces as it reports directly to the Logistics Agency.

Air Force

• Air Force Command: Prague
• Air Force Commander: Maj.Gen. Petr Hromek

• 1st Tactical Aviation Wing (Čáslav Air Base)
  • 21st Tactical Air Force Base "Brigadier General Karel Kuttelwascher" (Čáslav Air Base)
    • 211th Tactical Squadron (with 18× Aero JAS-39E/F Gripen)
    • 212th Tactical Squadron (with 16× Aero L-159A ALCA)
    • 213th Tactical Squadron (with 18× Aero JAS-39E/F Gripen)
  • 22nd Helicopter Air Base "Edvard Beneš" (Náměšť nad Oslavou)
    • 221st Helicopter Squadron (with 8× Mi-35, 4× Mi-171Sh)
    • 222nd Helicopter Squadron (with 8× Mi-171Sh)

• 2nd Tactical Aviation Wing (Přerov Air Base)
  • 23rd Tactical Air Force Base "Sergeant Josef František" (Přerov Air Base)
    • 231st Tactical Squadron (with 18× Aero JAS-39C/D Gripen)
    • 232nd Tactical Squadron (with 16× Aero L-159A ALCA)
    • 233rd Training Squadron (with 6× Aero L-159T2 ALCA, 2× Aero JAS-39D)

• 3rd Tactical Aviation Wing (Sliač Air Base)
  • 24th Tactical Air Force Base "Lieutenant General Ján Ambruš" (Sliač Air Base)
    • 241st Tactical Squadron (with 18× Aero JAS-39C/D Gripen)
    • 242nd Tactical Squadron (with 16× Aero L-159A ALCA)
    • 243rd Training Squadron (with 6× Aero L-159T2 ALCA, 2× Aero JAS-39D)
  • 25th Helicopter Air Base "Alexander Dubček" (Zvolen Air Base)
    • 221st Helicopter Squadron (with 8× Mi-35, 4× Mi-171Sh)
    • 222nd Helicopter Squadron (with 8× Mi-171Sh)

• 4th Transport Aviation Wing (Prague-Kbely)
  • 26th Transport Air Base "T. G. Masaryka" (Prague-Kbely)
    • 261st Transport Squadron (with 1× A319CJ, 1× CL-601-3A, 1× Yak-40)
    • 262nd Transport and Special Squadron (with 2× C-130J, 2x L-410UVP-E, 1x L-410 NG)
    • 263rd Helicopter Squadron (with 4× Mi-171Sh, 7× W-3A)
      • HEMS station "Kryštof 07", with 1× W-3A, at Plzeň-Líně airport
      • HEMS station "Kryštof 13", with 1× W-3A, at Bechyně airport
  • 27th Transport Air Base "General Milan Rastislav Štefánik" (Malacky Air Base)
    • 271st Transport Squadron (with 1× A319CJ, 1× CL-601-3A, 1× Yak-40)
    • 272nd Transport and Special Squadron (with 2× C-130J, 2x L-410UVP-E, 1x L-410 NG)
    • 273rd Helicopter Squadron (with 4× Mi-17, 7× W-3A)
      • HEMS station "Kryštof 14", with 1× W-3A, at Zvolen airport

• 28th Air Defence Missile Regiment "Tobrucký" (Strakonice)
  • 281st Air Defence Missile Group (Strakonice) – with 8x SA-6
  • 282nd Air Defence Missile Group (Strakonice) – with 8x RBS-70
  • 283rd Air Defence Missile Group (Nitra) – with 8x SA-6
  • 284th Air Defence Missile Group (Nitra) – with 8x RBS-70

• 29th Air Command, Control and Surveillance Regiment (Stará Boleslav)
  • 291st Control and Reporting Centre (CRC) (Hlavenec) – reports to NATO's Integrated Air Defense System CAOC Uedem in Germany
  • 292nd Radiotechnical Battalion (Hlavenec)
    • 1st Radiotechnical Company (Nepolisy) – RAT-31DL
    • 2nd Radiotechnical Company (Polička) – P-37 and PRV-17 mobile radars
    • 3rd Radiotechnical Company (Stará Ves nad Ondřejnicí) – radars P-37, PRV-17, ST-68U, and RL-4AS mobile radars
    • 4th Radiotechnical Company (Sokolnice) – RAT-31DL
    • 5th Radiotechnical Company (Třebotovice) – radars P-37, PRV-17 and ST-68U mobile radars
    • 6th Radiotechnical Company (Kříženec) – radars P-37, PRV-17, ST-68U, and RL-4AS mobile radars
    • 7th Radiotechnical Company (Zvolen) – P-37 and PRV-17 mobile radars
  • 293rd Support Battalion, in Hlavenec
    • Force Protection Company
    • Reserve Control and Reporting Centre, in Větrušice
    • Logistic Company
  • Radar Maintenance Center, in Olomouc)
  • Prague Air Traffic Services Station (Prague Airport)

Home Guard

The Home Guard serves as the reserve component of the Czechoslovak Army. It is a part-time, all-volunteer organization, with soldiers receiving 30 days of military refresher training per year. The Home Guard is designed to operate autonomously in home areas and with personnel drawn from the local population. The unit is dedicated to conducting defense activities in cooperation with the Czechoslovak Ground Forces. In peacetime, the Home Guard units supports the police and civilian community with a variety of tasks, including providing security for the public and enforcing police regulations, crisis management, eradication of natural disasters and the elimination of their effects, property protection, and search and rescue operations. The Home Guard follow the administrative division with a brigade formed in each region (Kraj). The unit numbers a total of 40,000 men, and comprises mostly of men and women who have served their compulsory conscription service of 6-12 months. However, workshop and depot staff plus clerks and senior officers are full-time professional soldiers. The Home Guard is equipped with small arms and anti-tank weapons, Land Rover Defender 110 and Iveco LMV utility vehicles, ambulances and Tatra T815 trucks.

• Home Guard HQ: Bratislava
• Home Guard Commander: Maj.Gen. Jindrich Joch

• • 1st Pražský Home Guard Brigade (Prague)
    • 11th Light Infantry Battalion
    • 12th Light Infantry Battalion
  • 2nd Bratislavská Home Guard Brigade (Bratislava)
    • 21st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 22nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 3rd Prešovská Home Guard Brigade (Prešov)
    • 31st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 32nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 4th Košická Home Guard Brigade (Košice)
    • 41st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 42nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 5th Tatranská Home Guard Brigade (Ružomberok)
    • 51st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 52nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 6th Banskobystrická Home Guard Brigade (Banská Bystrica)
    • 61st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 62nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 7th Žilinská Home Guard Brigade (Žilina)
    • 71st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 72nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 8th Nitranská Home Guard Brigade (Nitra)
    • 81st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 82nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 9th Trnavska Home Guard Brigade (Trnava)
    • 91st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 92nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 10th Karlovarská Home Guard Brigade (Karlovy Vary)
    • 101st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 102nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 11th Ústecká Home Guard Brigade (Ústí nad Labem)
    • 111th Light Infantry Battalion
    • 112th Light Infantry Battalion
  • 12th Liberecká Home Guard Brigade (Liberec)
    • 121st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 122nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 13th Královéhradecká Home Guard Brigade (Hradec Králové)
    • 131st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 132nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 14th Pardubická Home Guard Brigade (Pardubice)
    • 141st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 142nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 15th Olomoucká Home Guard Brigade (Olomouc)
    • 151st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 152nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 16th Ostravská Home Guard Brigade (Ostrava)
    • 161st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 162nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 17th Trenčínská Home Guard Brigade (Trenčín)
    • 171st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 172nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 18th Zlinská Home Guard Brigade (Zlin)
    • 181st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 182nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 19th Jihlavská Home Guard Brigade (Jihlava)
    • 191st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 192nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 20th Českobudějovická Home Guard Brigade (České Budějovice)
    • 201st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 202nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 21st Plzeňská Home Guard Brigade (Plzeň)
    • 211th Light Infantry Battalion
    • 212th Light Infantry Battalion
  • 22nd Brněnská Home Guard Brigade (Brno)
    • 221st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 222nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 23rd Kutnáhorska Home Guard Brigade (Kutná Hora)
    • 231st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 232nd Light Infantry Battalion
  • 24th Kladská Home Guard Brigade (Kladno)
    • 241st Light Infantry Battalion
    • 242nd Light Infantry Battalion

Special Forces

• Special Forces HQ: Prague
• Special Forces Commander: Brig.Gen. Pavel Kolář

• 601st Special Forces Group "General Emanuel Moravec" (Prostějov)
• 602nd Special Forces Group "General Ján Golian" (Žilina)
• Special Forces Support Center (CPSS) (Olomouc)

Cyber Forces

• Cyber Forces HQ: Bratislava
• Cyber Forces Commander: Brig.Gen. Miroslav Feix

Ranks

Officers

NATO code	OF-10	OF-9	OF-8	OF-7	OF-6	OF-5	OF-4	OF-3	OF-2	OF-1		OF(D)	Student officer
Czechoslovakia	No equivalent											No equivalent
		Armádní generál	Generálporučík	Generálmajor	Brigádní generál Brigádny generál	Plukovník	Podplukovník	Major	Kapitán	Nadporučík	Poručík
	No equivalent											No equivalent
		Armádní generál	Generálporučík	Generálmajor	Brigádní generál Brigádny generál	Plukovník	Podplukovník	Major	Kapitán	Nadporučík	Poručík

Enlisted

NATO code	OR-9	OR-8	OR-7	OR-6	OR-5	OR-4	OR-3	OR-2	OR-1
Czechoslovakia
	Štábní praporčík	Nadpraporčík	Praporčík	Nadrotmistr Nadrotmajster	Rotmistr Rotmajster	Rotný	Četař	Desátník Desiatnik	Svobodník Slobodník	Vojín Vojak
	Štábní praporčík	Nadpraporčík	Praporčík	Nadrotmistr Nadrotmajster	Rotmistr Rotmajster	Rotný	Četař	Desátník Desiatnik	Svobodník Slobodník	Vojín Vojak

Equipment

Current inventory

Equipment	Origin	Quantity	Type	Photo	Notes
Main battle tanks
Škoda T-82M4	Czechoslovakia	581	Main battle tank		Modernized and upgraded variant of the T-82.
IFVs and APCs
BVP Puma	Template:Country data Germany Germany Czechoslovakia	88	Infantry fighting vehicle		Manufactured under license by Škoda. Production of the order of 350 units initiated in 2019 with a scheduled completion in 2023. 88 vehicles have been delivered as of 1 June 2020.
BVP-M2 Šakal	Soviet Union Czechoslovakia	262	Infantry fighting vehicle		Soviet BMP-2 manufactured under license by Škoda. 279 ordered in 1978 and produced between 1983 and 1989. 265 modernized between 2006 and 2012. Will be replaced by BVP Puma.
OT-06 Pandur	Czechoslovakia Austria	682	Armoured personnel carrier
Artillery
152 mm ShKH DANA M2	Czechoslovakia	144	Self-propelled gun		Introduced in 1977. 144 have been upgraded to the M2 variant between 2011 and 2016.
RM-70/86	Czechoslovakia	36	Multiple rocket launcher
Unarmoured vehicles
Land Rover Defender 110 TDi	United Kingdom	661	Light off-road vehicle
Land Rover Defender 130 Kajman	United Kingdom	79	Light off-road vehicle
Tatra T810	Czechoslovakia	586	Military medium truck
Tatra T815	Czechoslovakia	2,700	Military heavy truck		4x4, 6x6, 8x8, 10x10 versions.
Unarmoured vehicles
Tatra T815-7 Patriot	Czechoslovakia	0 + 50	MATMMV Infantry mobility vehicle		50 on order.
Nexter Titus	France	0 + 62	Infantry mobility vehicle		62 on order.
Dingo 2	Template:Country data Germany	21	MRAP Infantry mobility vehicle
Iveco LMV	Italy	215	Armoured light off road vehicle		30 more on order.
Tatra T815-7T3RC1 8x8.1R	Czechoslovakia	50+	Military heavy truck with armoured double cab		41x T815-7 PRAM - for the transport of the mortar 5x KWZT-3 3x Tatra 815-7-D 8x8 V 2x Tatra 815-7-D 8x8.
Small arms
CZ 75	Czechoslovakia		Pistol
CZ Scorpion EVO 3	Czechoslovakia		Submachine gun
CZ 805 Bren	Czechoslovakia		Assault rifle		Standard service rifle.
CZ Bren 2	Czechoslovakia		Battle rifle		Standard service rifle.
UK vz. 05	Czechoslovakia		General-purpose machine gun
TK M2 QCB Browning	United States		Heavy machine gun		Used as a vehicle-mounted machine gun, mainly on Iveco LMVs.
NSV machine gun	Soviet Union		Heavy machine gun		Used as a vehicle-mounted machine gun.
CZ 750	Czechoslovakia		Sniper rifle
ZVI Falcon	Czechoslovakia		Sniper rifle
Barrett M82A1	United States		Sniper rifle		In use by the 601st and 602nd Special Forces Groups.
Accuracy International AWM	United Kingdom		Sniper rifle		In use by the 601st and 602nd Special Forces Groups.
URG-86	Czechoslovakia		Hand grenade
CZ 805 G1	Czechoslovakia		Grenade launcher
Anti-tank weapons
Panzerfaust 3	Template:Country data Germany Germany		Anti-tank rocket-propelled grenade
P-75 Pancéřovka	Czechoslovakia		Single-shot anti-tank weapon		Disposable, man-portable, short range fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile system.
Aircraft
Aero JAS-39C	Sweden Czechoslovakia	64	single-engine multirole fighter		First 12 were delivered by Sweden and the remaining developed and assembled by Aero. 60 E variants on order.
Aero L 159 ALCA	Czechoslovakia	72	Light attack aircraft