In an interview with the Czech News Agency, Josef Bečvář said that the Czech Army needed to modernize in order to prepare for new challenges. Bečvář intends tomake use of the opportunity for the benefit of Glomex MS, a military-supply company which he has been chairing since January, as the company offers comprehensive solutions for the army, providing both technology and training for military personnel.
“The Czech Republic deserves to have an army capable of facing current security threats. Modernizing our army is the topic of the day,” says Bečvář. In his words, his main contribution to Glomex MS consists in his knowledge of upcoming projects related to the Concept of the Czech Armed Forces up to 2025. “I’ve been working in the military for a very long time and I believe I know what our armed forces need,” he says.
Bečvář claims the company intends to follow standard procedures and is not looking for special access to the army-placed orders. Glomex MS is going to exhibit at the Defence Technology Fair in Brno in May and plans to showcase their capacity to participate in the upcoming army projects.
According to Bečvář, Glomex MS represents over ten foreign military equipment manufacturers. “Our added value lies in our specialists, who are able to train the soldiers to handle virtually any device,” he says.
Glomex MS is already carrying out contracts for the armed forces of the Czech Republic and allied countries such as Poland or the Baltic states. Two thirds of the orders are placed by the Czech Army, but the company would like to increase the share of foreign clients. Apart from military equipment for the Czech Army, Glomex MS also provides maintenance for Czech government planes.
Bečvář left the Army last summer and was replaced by Aleš Opata as Chief of the General Staff. Initially, Bečvář was exploring opportunities to continue to work for the government, but the negotiations were too vague and, eventually, he accepted the position of Chairman of Glomex MS in January. “I decided to embark upon a new career in the private sector in October, since there was no clear way for me to continue to serve my country,” he says.
According to Bečvář, it is a pity that the state does not have a mechanism to address highly qualified professionals leaving the army. “Officers, lieutenant colonels, colonels and generals who leave for the civilian sector are highly skilled. They have security clearance, experience from foreign missions and foreign workplaces, excellent language skills and a background in managing people,” he says. Bečvář argues that former senior officers could not only be employed by the Ministry of Defence, but also work abroad, join the industrial sector or become advisors.
Bečvář decided to start working at Glomex MS because he liked the fact that it is a Czech company not backed by foreign capital. “I immediately became interested in this young, healthy company providing supplies for the Czech army and beyond,” he explains.
Glomex Military Supplies was established in 2008. The company implements comprehensive projects for armed forces in the field of arms and equipment. The company has approximately 50 employees. Their product portfolio includes combat drones, self-propelled artillery systems on Tatra chassis, the latest man-portable anti-tank weapons and many others.