Tens of thousands of visitors watched the largest display of the Czech Republic’s Army ground forces in the Brdy Mountains. In addition to historic equipment, new combat systems were showcased that will form the backbone of the Czech Army in the coming years. This year’s Bahna event demonstrated just how significantly the Czech armed forces are changing. According to the organizers, approximately 50,000 visitors headed to the Zadní Bahna area, where they were able to witness the history, present, and future of the Czech Army all in a single day.

Video: Bahna 2026: Modernization Is No Longer Just a Plan, but a Reality / CZ DEFENCE

The 36th edition of the event demonstrated that Bahna is no longer just a showcase of military equipment. It has become a place where soldiers, veterans, the defense industry, foreign allies, and the general public come together. This year’s event also featured the largest-ever presentation of the Czech Army’s modernization projects and significantly expanded participation by industrial partners. AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters appeared over the venue, followed by JAS-39 Gripen fighter jets. This was followed by one of the traditional highlights of the opening ceremony – a parachute jump by paratroopers from the 43rd Airborne Regiment carrying the flags of the Czech Republic, NATO, the Czech Army Ground Forces, the 43rd Airborne Regiment, and the Ground Forces Foundation.

In his opening remarks at the event, Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna emphasized that Bahna is not merely a military equipment showcase. “This is not just a static display of equipment, but a comprehensive military exercise. The dynamic demonstrations you will see today are based on real-world scenarios and reflect the daily training of our units, their coordination, speed, and precision in carrying out their missions. It is precisely these capabilities that have long earned the Czech Army the respect of our allies,” the minister stated. He also noted that the organizers’ goal is to gradually position Bahna as the primary showcase for ground forces with a significant international reach. “We want Bahna to become the premier showcase for ground forces, much like NATO Days in Ostrava is for the air forces. Thanks in part to the participation of partners from Poland and Austria, the event is taking on an increasingly significant international dimension,” the minister said.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Army General Karel Řehka, also spoke at the opening ceremony. For him, this was his last Bahna event in his capacity as the country’s highest-ranking military officer. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of public support for the military and the growing responsibility of society as a whole for the nation’s defense. “Today’s security situation is not simple. It is more complex than it has ever been in our modern history. The country’s defense capability depends not only on the military and politicians, but on the entire state and society as a whole. Public support is important, and I believe that events like Bahna contribute significantly to this,” said the Chief of the General Staff.

A powerful appeal was also made by František Koch of the Ground Forces Foundation, who recalled the historical roots of the entire event and thanked everyone involved in organizing it, as well as the visitors who have supported Bahna since its very first year in 1990. It is precisely this connection between history and the present that remains one of the main symbols of the entire event. The historical parade was complemented by a combat demonstration titled “Tank Battle – The Hunt for the Beast 1945,” which commemorated the final battles of World War II. Spectators were able to watch historic tanks, vehicles, and aircraft that honored the legacy of generations of soldiers, whose traditions are carried on by today’s army.

However, modern technology attracted a great deal of interest. The CV90 infantry fighting vehicles drew the most attention; in the coming years, they will become the backbone of the 7th Mechanized Brigade. Brigadier General Josef Mikula, commander of the 7th Mechanized Brigade, noted that the brigade is already intensively preparing its personnel for their arrival. “We expect the first deliveries around the middle of next year. This year, we are focusing on preparing personnel, training crews and technical staff, as well as conducting military and acceptance tests,” he explained. According to him, this will not be a simple replacement for the aging BVP-2s. “The CV90 is not a replacement for the BVP-2.”

"This is a vehicle of an entirely different generation. It will significantly increase the protection of our soldiers as well as our ability to defeat the enemy on the battlefield." Mikula also pointed out that the brigade’s modernization is not limited to combat vehicles. “It’s not just about tanks and combat vehicles. We’re upgrading small arms, communications equipment, command vehicles, ballistic protection, and gear. The modern battlefield is primarily about the integration and interconnection of individual systems.” In addition to the CV90, the Leopard 2A4 tanks also attracted a great deal of attention during dynamic demonstrations of tracked vehicles. The Leopards are gradually becoming a symbol of the renewal of the Czech Army’s heavy mechanized units and a harbinger of the arrival of the state-of-the-art Leopard 2A8 tanks.

Dynamic demonstrations formed the main focus of the entire day. The highlight of the program was a joint presentation by the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and the 7th Mechanized Brigade. The soldiers demonstrated a coordinated combat maneuver supported by Pandur II and BVP-2 vehicles, as well as Land Rover light vehicles. The scenario simulated the operations of units in a modern conflict environment, where speed of decision-making, coordination, and the ability to respond to rapidly changing situations are critical.

Another of the most impressive demonstrations was prepared by units from the 43rd Airborne Regiment, the 31st Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Protection Regiment, and the 6th Medical Battalion. Visitors watched an airborne squad raid a facility, collect samples in a contaminated area, and evacuate the wounded. The demonstration clearly showed that modern military operations are the result of cooperation among many specialized units.

Artillerymen from the 13th Artillery Regiment then demonstrated a firing platoon in a firing position, while logistics units demonstrated the evacuation of damaged equipment and the recovery of vehicles. The exercise featured Pandur, MAMUT, AV-15, and TITUS vehicles, as well as other specialized equipment.

Visitors also paid close attention to the presentation by the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade. The deputy commander of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, Colonel Martin Hajduch, emphasized that current experiences in Ukraine are fundamentally changing the nature of the modern battlefield. “We are striving to adapt our organizational structure to the current battlefield. We are introducing new capabilities and adapting our training and training areas accordingly.” According to him, the command system is also changing. “We are moving toward smaller and more dispersed staffs and command posts. We must be able to operate even in an environment where the enemy is capable of quickly detecting and destroying large targets,” said Hajduch.

This year’s Bahna, however, was not just about technology. It was also an opportunity to take stock of the changes the Czech Army has undergone in recent years. Army General Karel Řehka identified the shift in the mindset of the entire army as the biggest change. “The main thing I consider important is that we have mentally shifted to a new mission. We realize that the army is here to be prepared for combat and to defend the state. We are preparing even for the worst-case scenarios. Combat capability and readiness to fight are our primary tasks,” General Řehka told CZ DEFENCE. According to him, the public debate on defense has also shifted. “Defense has become a major social issue, and the army’s communication efforts have contributed significantly to this,” added the Chief of the General Staff.

Lieutenant General Miroslav Hlaváč, who is set to take charge of the army and lead the next phase of its development, echoed Řehk’s remarks. “I am taking over an army in good shape. We need to tackle modernization projects and build new capabilities. But the most valuable asset we have is our people. Motivated personnel are the greatest asset of the Czech Armed Forces,” said Hlaváč. According to him, the domestic defense industry will also play a key role. “It is essential for us that the Czech defense industry be an integral part of the state’s defense system and be able to support the army even in the event of a military crisis.”

Throughout the day, the question of whether the army’s recruitment targets would be met came up frequently. The defense minister noted that, despite a Europe-wide shortage of soldiers, the army is meeting its recruitment targets. “We are already at 98 percent of this year’s recruitment target, which stands at 2,250 soldiers,” said Zůna. He also mentioned the planned housing construction program for soldiers, in which over three billion crowns are to be invested in the first phase. Pavel Růžička, vice-chairman of the Defense Committee of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, shares a similar view of the army’s future development. According to him, the Czech Army has long demonstrated a high level of readiness, but it needs adequate technical equipment and stable funding. “I have always maintained that our military is excellently trained and resilient. It deserves equipment that will be competitive. As politicians, we must ensure sufficient funding so that the necessary equipment can be procured, but at the same time, we need to ensure that procurement processes are not unnecessarily prolonged,” Bahen stated.

This year’s event also took place during the transition of the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces. Růžička expects the new army leadership, above all, to focus more on the main tasks of the armed forces. “I expect General Hlaváč to help calm the situation so that we can focus on what really matters. I believe that, through his authority, he will help create an environment in which the army, the Ministry of Defense, and politicians will agree on fundamental priorities and the further development of the army,” he said. He does not consider equipment to be the greatest challenge, but rather people. “People always come first. We can purchase the best equipment imaginable, but if there’s no one to operate it, that’s a problem. We need enough high-quality soldiers, and at the same time, we must retain them in the military,” he emphasized. According to Růžička, legislation will also play a significant role in the coming years. “If we receive clear requirements for the necessary changes from the Ministry of Defense and the army leadership, we will move forward quickly. National defense is a priority, and legislation must help the army, not hinder it,” concluded the vice-chairman of the Defense Committee.

Major General Josef Trojánek, Commander of the Czech Army’s Land Forces, emphasized that Bahna is not just a military parade, but also a tool for communicating with the public. “We want Bahna to be attractive not only to fans of the military and military history, but also to families with children.” According to him, it is a year-round project. “The actual physical preparation takes about a week, but planning runs practically nonstop from the end of the previous year’s event.”

The Military Police were also an integral part of Bahen. Colonel Jan Ševčík, commander of the Military Police Headquarters in Tábor, noted that this is the largest public event his unit is responsible for securing. “Dozens of military police officers are involved in the event. It’s very demanding from an organizational standpoint, and preparations begin practically the moment the previous year’s event ends.”

In addition to the military itself, the defense industry also made a strong showing this year. The state-owned company VOP CZ unveiled the Bushmaster armored vehicle from the Australian company Thales, which will also be manufactured in the Czech Republic. VOP CZ Director Vlastimil Navrátil noted that the company is gradually becoming one of the main centers for supporting the Czech Army’s heavy equipment.

“The main phase of the CV90 project will get fully underway this fall; we are currently working with Rheinmetall to provide maintenance for the Leopard 2A4s and manufacturing armored cabins for Iveco vehicles intended for the Bundeswehr and KNDS, respectively,” said the director of VOP CZ. The STV Group’s exhibit also attracted a great deal of attention. Its representative, Ivo Strejček, presented the Patria AMV XP 8x8 and Patria 6x6 CAVS armored vehicles.

“Patria is currently the largest manufacturer of armored vehicles in Europe. Our goal is to offer a platform that can be customized to meet the specific requirements of the user.” According to him, a significant portion of production and maintenance could take place directly in the Czech Republic. The exhibition also featured the Flyer 72 HD light vehicle. Forty of these light assault vehicles will gradually replace the Land Rover Defender 130 Kajman at the 43rd Airborne Regiment in Chrudim.

The CSG Group has also been a long-standing partner of Bahen. Media representative Jakub Fujáček noted that the holding company has been supporting the event for two decades. “This year, visitors were able to see the latest version of the Pandur 8x8 EVO armored personnel carrier, the Patriot armored tactical vehicle manufactured by Excalibur Army, and the latest, third-generation Tatra Force vehicles in 6x6 and 8x8 configurations.”

"In addition, a modernized version of the Tatra 810 M medium tactical vehicle was on display at the booth," Fujáček told CZ DEFENCE.

From the organizers’ perspective, this year’s event was one of the most successful in history. Stanislav Drábek, a member of the Ground Forces Foundation’s board of directors, estimates attendance at 50,000 people. “This year’s event was different primarily because the army significantly expanded its participation to include some of its partners. As a result, spectators were able to see a number of things that hadn’t been on display at Bahna before,” said Drábek. According to him, the new visitor infrastructure and the new grandstand received positive feedback. Drábek also highlighted the international significance of the entire event. “The Polish and Austrian armies have been coming here for a long time, and this year we also welcomed a delegation from the Texas National Guard. In Central Europe, Bahna is unique precisely because of its combination of ground forces, military history, and direct contact with visitors,” concluded Drábek.

This year’s event once again demonstrated why Bahna has remained exceptionally popular for more than three decades. It offers much more than just military equipment; it presents the army as a whole – its history, present, and future. Soldiers, veterans, members of law enforcement, the defense industry, allies, and the general public all come together in one place.