On January 14th, 1994, forming of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade was begun. The Brigade whose readiness was due the first day of July started training of its units on June 30th, 1994. Five years later, on the occasion of the Victory Day on May 8th, the Brigade received the title “of Nation’s Defense”. Originally, the Brigade consisted of ten different units. Today, the units of the Brigade are:

Picture: The wheeled armoured vehicle Pandur II 8x8 | 4.BRN

41st Mechanized Battalion from Žatec
42nd Mechanized Battalion from Tábor
43rd Airborne Battalion from Chrudim
44th Light Motorized Battalion from Jindřichův Hradec 

The Headquarters of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade (4th RDB) is part of the Land Forces of the Army of the Czech Republic. It is determined to command and control the Brigade, and it is the basis to create the headquarters of the brigade task force. The 4th RDB represents the main part of mobile forces of the Army of the Czech Republic, and is organized in a way which allows creating the task force to complete tactical or operational-tactical tasks and operations by all the forces or their part, either individually or as part of an allied force, inside or outside the area of the Czech Republic. 

Video: 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade / YouTube

The 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade is determined to complete tasks to prevent and respond to crisis situations in national and allied range. Their organization allows creating a basis of required tasks forces to complete tactical tasks and operations by all forces of the Brigade or its part, either individually or as part of an allied force, inside or outside the area of the Czech Republic. 

The main ambition of the 4th RDB is training and deployment of a full 4-battalion brigade task force for a period of 6 months without a rotation for international operations according to Articles 4 and 5 of the Washington Treaty. 
Reconnaissance, guidance, and fire efficiency assessment specialists are part of companies and platoons in order to fulfill the obligation of the Army of the Czech Republic to ensure the capability of maneuver, firing, and mobility in the battlefield. The specialists are equipped with surveillance, scanning, and data transmission assets. The goal is to achieve operational capabilities at acquiring data about the common operational situation and their real-time transmission, and precise fire guidance of maneuvering units according to NATO requirements.
The Signal Company must provide CIS support for the leadership and staff of the Brigade in order to provide communication with both the superior and subordinate levels.

Picture: The 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade is determined to complete tasks to prevent and respond to crisis situations in national and allied range. | 4.BRN

The Operational Platoon must provide logistic support of the Brigade’s leadership and staff’s activities, including establishment of and guarding the Brigade’s command posts. 

41st and 42nd Mechanized Battalions

Battalion-type mechanized land units determined to eliminate capabilities of the enemy, mainly with firepower and rapid maneuver. They are determined to complete tactical (combat) tasks both inside and outside the area of the Czech Republic. They feature a high level of readiness, mobility, and firepower. The Battalions are capable of rapid movements at various distances. Moreover, they are partially capable of air transport. Their organizational structure corresponds with this by including their individual elements into three basic components: the combat component, combat support component, and combat service support component. 

The main combat asset is the PANDUR II 8x8 wheeled armored personnel carrier equipped with a 30 mm caliber gun, 7,62 mm coupled machine-gun, and 3rd generation guided anti-tank missiles. It also disposes of 120 mm towed Model 82 mortars.

Foto: Picture: Tatra 815-7 PRAM | 4.BRN

43rd Airborne Battalion

A battalion-type airborne unit determined to eliminate capabilities of the enemy, mainly with firepower and rapid maneuver. It is determined to complete tactical tasks both inside and outside the area of the Czech Republic, either individually or as part of a task force. The 43rd Airborne Battalion is also determined to complete special tasks within the Brigade or individually. It is the main expeditionary force of the 4th RDB with high mobility. It features a high level of readiness, air transport capability, and possibility to complete special tasks by air drops on parachutes or from helicopters. 

44th Light Motorized Battalion

A battalion-type motorized land unit determined to eliminate capabilities of the enemy, mainly with firepower and rapid maneuver. It is determined to complete tactical (combat) tasks both inside and outside the area of the Czech Republic. It features a high level of readiness, mobility, and firepower. The 44th Light Motorized Battalion is capable of rapid movements at various distances. It is established as part of deployable forces to fulfill the obligations of the Czech Republic within NRF and EUBG. Its organizational structure corresponds with this by including its individual elements into three basic components: the combat component, combat support component, and combat service support component. 

The main combat asset is the IVECO light combat vehicle equipped with a 12,7 caliber machine-gun.