Czech Senate calls for learning from Ukraine's air defence experience

The Czech Senate believes the country should draw on Ukraine's wartime experience, particularly in developing air defence and protection against drones.

As reported by České Noviny, this is stated in a resolution on the transformation plan for the European defence industry. The Senate considers it appropriate to draw on Ukraine's experience, especially in the field of air defence.

The upper chamber of the Czech parliament also identified strengthening domestic ammunition production, preparing logistics, modernising command and control systems, and improving the ability to cooperate with allies as key priorities.

The Senate also supported amendments to crisis management and defence legislation to better respond to hybrid threats and ensure timely defence preparedness. President Petr Pavel called for such amendments during public hearings in February marking the anniversary of Russia's military invasion of Ukraine.

Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka also spoke at the hearings, highlighting gaps in existing legislation, particularly during peacetime. He said this concerns, for example, the deployment of Czech soldiers to NATO operations that serve as deterrence or preparation for defence. Řehka also mentioned situations in which Czechia could serve as a base for NATO forces or for their transit.

"Moreover, within the framework of the enemy's hybrid actions, it is impossible to clearly define the boundary between a civilian and a military crisis," he said.

The Senate's resolution also encourages integrating the defence industry into the country's security system and developing a whole-of-society approach to defence, including strengthening active reserves and preparing the population.

"The Senate believes that the active participation of Czechia in European initiatives on defence innovation and industrial cooperation is an opportunity to strengthen security, increase the competitiveness of the Czech defence industry and contribute to the long-term development of a skilled workforce," the upper chamber of parliament said.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his country would bring in experts from Ukraine to shoot down Iranian drones in the Persian Gulf.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later said the UK had not made any direct requests as regards bringing in experts from Ukraine.