Pavla Ungrová serves in the active reserve as commander of the communications platoon with the 221st Territorial Defense Battalion, under the command of the Olomouc Military District. Since March 2026, she has been the new commercial director of the state-owned enterprise VOP CZ, where, among other things, she leads a project to weld armored cabins for IVECO GTF3 vehicles for the German company KNDS Deutschland. She brings valuable experience to this role from the German industry, where she worked for many years as a project manager on major international projects. In the following interview, Pavla Ungrová discusses her professional journey, VOP CZ’s role in European defense projects, and the experience she brings from the German industry and her service in the Active Reserve of the Czech Army.

You are joining the management team at VOP CZ after serving as a project manager for major international projects, and you also have experience in the Czech Army’s active reserve. How does this combination of experiences influence your perspective on the defense industry?

In general, the defense industry is a challenge because it’s a unique environment, and the implementation of some projects takes quite a long time compared to the civilian market, so I had to get used to that. My experience at AZ is a valuable asset, as it allows me to understand the needs of rank-and-file soldiers directly from the practical use of equipment.

You have been serving as the Commercial Director of VOP CZ since March 2026. What are your main priorities in this role, and where do you want to take the company’s business activities in the coming years?

I would break this down into three main pillars. The first and top priority is clearly the Czech Armed Forces (AČR), where we want to continue to position ourselves as a key partner and integrator of both large and smaller procurement projects, including in collaboration with other companies in the defense sector. And providing comprehensive lifecycle support for ground equipment. The second is the foreign market. Here, our main priority is the German defense market, where we see enormous potential. The third is civilian production, which we intend to maintain to some extent, as it serves as a suitable complement and diversification of our portfolio.

At VOP CZ, you are leading a project to weld armored cabins for KNDS. How significant is this project for the Czech industry’s integration into European defense supply chains?

Huge. Generally speaking, countries are reluctant to outsource military welding work abroad. The very fact that this project is being carried out here is further confirmation that VOP is among the leaders in this specific type of welding. At the same time, it is important news for the entire Czech defense industry, as it confirms that it ranks among the best and most advanced in Europe.

You have experience in the German industry and working on international projects. What do you see as the main differences between the German and Czech defense industry environments?

The main difference is that the German defense industry is characterized by a high degree of centralization, long-term strategic management, and significant government support, whereas the Czech defense industry is characterized by greater flexibility, rapid adaptability, and a strong focus on specialized export production.

As the commander of the communications platoon in the active reserve at the Olomouc Regional Territorial Defense Command, you have direct contact with the military environment. How does this experience help you in your work in the defense industry?

During training exercises, we regularly work with various equipment and weaponry, so I have the opportunity to see how they function in real-world conditions. When we tackle specific projects at VOP, I have a better understanding of the technical aspects and the user’s needs. As a result, the two roles naturally complement each other and create a logical link between practical experience and industry.

The Czech Army’s Active Reserve is an increasingly important part of the country’s defense capabilities. How do you view its importance, and what personal experiences have you gained from your service?

Today, the active reserve plays a key role as rapidly deployable support for the professional army. For me personally, service is valuable because during exercises I get to work with equipment, weapons, and real-world procedures, while also meeting people from various professions who would otherwise never cross paths. This diversity and our shared “second life” in uniform teach us to cooperate, rely on one another, and function under demanding conditions. Thanks to this, I can better visualize many things in my civilian work and connect military reality with the needs of the defense industry.

In recent years, the Czech defense industry has become significantly more involved in international projects. In your opinion, what role should VOP CZ play in European defense programs?

Here, our main goal is to serve as a key supplier to major global defense contractors in the field of military castings and “hardware” in general. I believe that this is precisely where VOP is a strong and competitive company. At the same time, we have a skilled team of developers here, and I believe that our TAROS UGV, for example, is highly competitive on a European scale. Unfortunately, this is another long-term endeavor. However, we are currently engaged in very concrete negotiations with one NATO member state and one global defense industry company.

The defense industry remains a predominantly male-dominated field. What challenges have you faced as a woman in this industry, and do you think the situation is changing?

Personally, I feel that as the defense industry grows, so does the number of women working in it. Here at VOP alone, there are more than a hundred women working across the entire company. At the same time, I believe that women bring a different perspective and way of thinking to the industry.

What technological or industrial trends are currently having the greatest impact on the development of armored vehicles and military systems?

Anti-drone protection is certainly a challenge. However, eventually, a countermeasure is found for every weapon. As for the development itself, speed and the ability to respond to feedback and lessons learned from major military conflicts must be key priorities.

If you had to describe the future of VOP CZ in one sentence—where do you think the company should be in five to ten years?

As the primary provider of maintenance and lifecycle support for ground equipment for the Czech Armed Forces and the implementer of major military projects. And in the second phase, as a key supplier of military welded components to leading global defense industry companies.