President Petr Pavel spoke at the opening of the Future Forces Forum on 21 October 2026 about the importance of new technologies for defence.
President Petr Pavel spoke in Prague on 21 October 2026 at the opening of the Future Forces Forum, an international defence and security trade fair. He said that successful deterrence and defence will depend on how quickly states manage to introduce new technologies and innovations.
Pavel noted that more than 60 conflicts are under way in the world and that Europe faces a large-scale war in Ukraine. In his view, security goes beyond the armed forces and requires the readiness and resilience of the whole of society. He also stressed close cooperation between governments and the defence industry and the importance of procurement procedures for new equipment. According to him, the future will not consist only of drones and missiles; what will matter is the ability to make quick use of technological change.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade Karel Havlíček (ANO) said at the opening that the defence industry is becoming one of the new pillars of the Czech economy. In his words, an environment needs to be created in which small and medium-sized enterprises, start-ups and research institutions can also develop.
The Future Forces Forum is a platform for defence and security technologies that brings together representatives of armies, security services, public administration and industry. The programme includes conferences, discussions and an equipment exhibition.
Chronology
- — At the opening of the Future Forces Forum in Prague, President Petr Pavel said that successful defence will depend on the rapid adoption of new technologies and on the resolve of the population. ČTK / České noviny
Sources
- ČTK / České noviny — 21 October 2026