The Czechs do not plan to highlight the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) during their six-month Presidency of the European Union. Defence is not a “top priority,” Czech Defence Ministry spokesman Andrej Cirtek told Europolitics.He also reviewed the subjects now before the ministers and set to be discussed on 10 November.

“The slogan of our Presidency is ‘Europe without barriers’. We want a competitive and open Europe. Our priorities are energy security, the budget for Europe’s future, freedom of movement and Europe as a global partner,” explained Andrej Cirtek. Asked about defence policy, he confirmed that “defence is first and foremost the role of NATO, which is a key organisation. A transatlantic security link needs to be built. That is what we prefer”.

Certain missions can be shared as part of cooperation with NATO. “But there mustn’t be any dogmatic rule. We should keep a practical approach. Every situation is different. Look at Kosovo: there is a military mission on one side and a police and justice mission on the other. And everyone is working hand in hand.”

KOSOVO AND AFGHANISTAN

The Czech EU Presidency does not plan to go back on actions already under way, however. “We want to continue the actions taken by the Presidency, notably the 2010 headline goals. We also support missions such as EULEX in Kosovo and EUFOR in Chad.” The Czech presence in Chad is “symbolic” and is likely to remain so in 2009, but not due to any underlying “political reason”. The Czech Republic is “simply a small country, with a small army. We are already engaged in Kosovo and Afghanistan. And we cannot have a significant presence in Africa.” The Czech Republic has “500 men in Kosovo, 600 in Afghanistan and a few trainers in Iraq”. Out of an army of 25,000 soldiers, 900 are deployed and 1,300 will be deployed next year. That represents between 4% and 5% of its strength. For the future UN mission in Chad, the Czech Republic “encourages the member states to participate, but for these reasons cannot send troops itself”.

In Bosnia, the Czech Republic has concluded its Althea mission. It had been on location with the UNPROFOR since 1993. “It is almost time to transform this military mission into an advisory and police mission. That will depend on the evaluation we receive. The objective of stability in Bosnia has to be kept in mind. We also have to build consensus among all the states and determine what Bosnia needs: training, advisory services, education.” Cirtek adds that “Europe has to be ready to deploy quickly, with another strong mission, because the Balkans may need it. We have to be prepared for anything”.

INDUSTRIAL PRAGMATISM

Regarding industrial cooperation, the Czech Republic is interested in a number of sectors, but here too the key word is “pragmatism”. For example, “we need strategic transport means for Afghanistan. But we can’t buy an Airbus A400M just for that. And we prefer to have flight time.” The Czechs are therefore “interested” in the project (discussed at the informal meeting in Deauville, on 1 October) of sharing these aircraft. But they are waiting to know more about it. “We will decide once the acquisition price and the shared costs are known.” This same sense of pragmatism is also the rule for the NATO project of sharing C17s. “We are not very enthusiastic because the price is too high compared to the SALIS programme’s flight time (leasing of Antonovs) or direct contacts with Ukrainian companies” [Ukraine has a lot of heavy air means, inherited from the ex-USSR - Ed].

On the helicopter modernisation initiative, the Czech Republic is both in demand of helicopter modernisation and a supplier of modernisation capacities. “Like the other East European countries, we have a lot of Russian-made helicopters. Good machines, with a reliable engine, but they need modernisation in terms of embedded electronic systems. [...] The Czech Republic has capabilities, with the firm LOM, which has a long tradition of repairing and modernising these helicopters. We are making this capacity available to other countries. A feasibility study is being conducted by the European Defence Agency.” More generally, the Czech Republic is pushing for “more inclusion of SMEs in the defence industry. A seminar should be held on that subject during the Presidency”. Of course, it supports the “opening up of defence markets,” in line with the draft directive currently being debated in Council, but certain operating facilities must be preserved, such as “being able to award a contract directly to a firm in an emergency”. “For example, on an operation, we sometimes have to buy vehicles or protective equipment very fast.” Such facilities should only be available “with real justification,” however.

Finally, the Czech Republic supports the reform of the Athena mechanism for financing military operations. “This idea of sharing the costs of certain operations is logical. It would no doubt motivate the small countries to participate more in operations or the battle groups”. The discussion on extending battle group missions “must continue”. Most importantly, the “financial barriers to this use must be removed”. The battle groups concept is “sound”. The Czech Republic plans to take up its tour of duty with the Slovaks in the latter half of 2009.

“Our priorities are energy security, the budget for Europe’s future, freedom of movement and Europe as a global partner”

Background

The Czech army has 179 modernised T72 tanks (Russian design) and 380 BMP 1 and 2 infantry combat vehicles, as well as 164 SPGH-M77 152 mm Czech-designed self-propelled gun howitzers. Its air force equipment includes ten Russian-made Mi24 HIND attack helicopters and 16 Mi171 S transport helicopters, 28 multipurpose Alca L159 (Czech-made) aircraft and 14 SAAB 39 Gripen (Swedish design) fighter aircraft.