It seems that after several years of preparing large acquisition programs, the defence sector is gradually getting ready for their implementation. As a former Chief of the General Staff, I am sincerely pleased for both Czech soldiers and Czech citizens.
It is probably unnecessary to return to the days when the so-called clear indications provoked heated discussions about the influence exercised by the so-called unnamed entities, about non-transparency, or even about possible crimes – for example in the case of MADR radars. Readers have to find the answers themselves, especially those who came up with these dramatic conclusions and flooded Czech media with them to the pleasure of our enemies.
Of course, we are all eagerly awaiting the conclusion of further large arms contracts that are much needed in the Czech Republic. However, the precondition for this is our country´s economic stability and the establishment of a long-term and solid financial framework for the Czech Armed Forces. There has been a longstanding discussion about how to obtain a proper defence budget, how to gradually meet the commitment to spend 2 % of our GDP on defence, how to draft a bill on army financing, how to establish a pool of funds for acquisitions, etc. Having spent many years in the army and being aware of my responsibility towards the country where I live and where I want to live, I believe that the most important thing is our will. Our will to defend this country, to favour freedom, democracy and security over volatile and cheap values. This will must be shared by both state officials and ordinary people living far from major social and political events. No political statements or laws will help us in this case. Unlike our neighbours, we sometimes lack will – and maybe it is because of our nation’s history. That is why I hope that we will all discover this kind of will within ourselves in 2020. It is the fundamental condition that we must fulfil if we want to live safely in our beautiful homeland.