On 5 October 2026, the Czech Armed Forces withdrew the patronage of the Air Force of the Czech Armed Forces from the Future Air Force conference, which is scheduled to take place in Prague from 20 to 22 October 2026. The conference is part of the Future Forces Forum event and focuses on the future of military aviation. [1][2]
Reason for the withdrawal
The Armed Forces stated that the reason was information about the public activities, contacts and conduct of persons involved in organizing the conference, which it said conflicted with the security interests of the Czech Republic, the Government of the Czech Republic's policy statement, and the interests of allies. The decision was made within a few hours of the publication of an article by Seznam Zprávy, which described the background of the event's organizers. According to the newspaper, they deny that their contacts or opinions pose a security problem. [1][2]
Chief of the General Staff Miroslav Hlaváč wrote on his X social media account that the Armed Forces did not intend to lend their name or prestige to events linked to persons who question Euro-Atlantic commitments. He said the choice was up to the organizers, and that protecting the state's security and the Armed Forces' credibility took precedence. [2]
Previous position
The patronage had originally been granted by Deputy Chief of the General Staff Petr Čepelka. Before the withdrawal, he told Seznam Zprávy that it related to the professional program rather than to individual organizers, and that he would reconsider it if the relevant state authorities identified the cooperation as a risk. [1][2]
Chronology
- — The Czech Armed Forces withdrew the Air Force's patronage of the Future Air Force conference to be held in Prague, stating that the activities of persons involved in organising it conflict with the security interests of the Czech Republic. iDNES.cz Seznam Zprávy