Since Monday 5 October 2026 the army has been testing new drones, ground robotic systems, camouflage and sensors in the Moravian Lance exercise at Libavá, with the participation of members of the Nebraska National Guard.
The Moravian Lance exercise began on Monday 5 October 2026 in the Libavá military area. Soldiers are testing new drones, autonomous ground robots, camouflage methods and sensitive sensors that can be used, for example, for reconnaissance or guarding. The exercise concludes several months of testing of these technologies; according to iDNES.cz, it is the final stage of an experimental project of the 71st Mechanised Battalion.[1][2]
Aim of the exercise
The technologies are not tested separately. They are meant to prove themselves in a simulated high-intensity operation together with tanks, infantry, artillery, engineers, logistics and electronic warfare specialists, that is, to show that they work as part of a unit carrying out a combat task.[2] Miroslav Vybíhal, commander of the 7th Mechanised Brigade, said that the army will write up the findings and pass recommendations on through the command and control system; in his view they may influence future equipment purchases. He added that in the coming years the army will hold a series of similar exercises focused on new military technologies.[1]
Equipment used
According to iDNES.cz, the exercise presents, for example, a ground robot with an arm intended for chemical reconnaissance, which can get to places where a soldier would otherwise have to go and take samples. Camera traps with a night mode and live transmission are placed at command posts, a drone with a thermal camera watches the surroundings, and jammers are used against enemy drones.[2] David Kremlička, commander of the 71st Mechanised Battalion, said that robotics can take over part of a human's work with less risk to the soldier. On camouflage and deception he said that if a target cannot be hidden, decoy targets are made, for example from plywood, so that the enemy is more easily misled.[2]
Participation of the US National Guard
Members of the National Guard from the state of Nebraska also take part in the exercise. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Sandoz described the participation as an opportunity to take part in the State Partnership Program, which, in his words, has been running for 33 years. The American soldiers are observing the use of individual combat capabilities and want to apply the experience in their own training.[2]
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Chronology
- — The Moravian Lance exercise is under way in the Libavá military training area, where the Czech army, with more than a thousand soldiers and a unit of the US National Guard from Nebraska, is testing drones, ground robotic systems and other new technologies. Deník.cz iDNES.cz