At its meeting yesterday, the Government of the Czech Republic discussed a proposal to extend the duration of the British Military Advisory and Training Team (BMATT) in the Czech Republic. Parliament has approved the team's operation five times since 2000.

The British Military Advisory and Training Team for Central and Eastern Europe (BMATT CEE) was established in connection with the accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland to NATO in 1999. The UK decided to support the integration of these countries' armed forces into the Alliance structure by delivering courses directly in these nations. The Military Academy in Vyškov was selected as BMATT's location due to its extensive training facilities, including the nearby Dědice military training area, as well as high-quality accommodation and sports and cultural facilities.

Main Objective: Supporting the Development of Professional Armed Forces

Today, BMATT's main objective is to support the development of the professional armed forces of partner states, helping to build their capacity to contribute to regional stability and participate in peace support operations. Course participants are trained to British standards and methodologies. The following courses, attended by 20-35 soldiers, are held in Vyškov:

• Training Design and Management Course (Duration: 2 weeks): Aims to develop military professionals in the field of training design and preparation, focusing on a systematic approach to analysis, design, implementation, evaluation, and management of training.

• Junior Command and Leadership Course (Duration: 2 weeks): Designed for commanders at the basic levels of command, combining classroom instruction with field exercises. The course focuses on leadership development, preparing participants to command their own units.

• Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Course (Duration: 4 weeks): Prepares soldiers for deployment in peace support missions, teaching relevant operational procedures, patrolling techniques, and legal frameworks, including the law of armed conflict. Cultural awareness is also emphasized.

• Instructor Training Course (Duration: 4 weeks): Provides instructors with procedures and techniques for training members of the armed forces, covering weapons, combat, and operational training.

• Defence Train the Trainer Course (Duration: 1 week): Develops the training leadership skills of junior officers.

• Officer Command and Leadership Course (Duration: 4 weeks): Builds on the Junior Command and Leadership Course, focusing on tactical operations and leadership assessment through offensive, defensive, and support elements.

• Marksmanship Coaching Course (Duration: 2 weeks): Teaches participants the knowledge and techniques of weapons and marksmanship to ensure effective unit shooting to British standards, with most of the course conducted on outdoor ranges.

• Continuous Professional Development - Instructor (Duration: 4 weeks): Designed for members of the armed forces who have already completed a BMATT CZ course, further developing the skills acquired.

BMATT CZ also offers a Senior Officers' Briefing (Duration: 1-2 days). This is not a traditional training course but a meeting between BMATT CZ representatives and senior officials from partner countries, providing an overview of BMATT CZ's activities and capabilities. It often takes place in Vyškov, allowing the visiting delegation to observe the courses and interact with participants.

Between 2000 and 2023, 11,606 Soldiers Completed BMATT Courses

The BMATT CEE courses are conducted in English, and with the exception of external courses, they accommodate the diversity of ranks and nationalities of participants. Throughout the course, participants complete various tasks and are continuously assessed. Those who successfully complete the course receive a certificate. Although the courses are primarily run under British leadership, since 2019, BMATT CZ has included three Czech instructors.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the hosting of courses in 2020 and 2021, resulting in only three courses with a total of 180 participants. However, in 2022 and 2023, 11 courses were held with 547 soldiers—384 from the Czech Republic and the rest from 12 NATO countries, 1 EU country (Malta), and 10 Partnership for Peace countries.

In addition to the courses held in Vyškov, BMATT also organizes courses in partner countries or for members of the Czech Armed Forces at their units. Between 2020 and 2023, a total of 1,186 soldiers attended these courses, including 285 from the Czech Armed Forces, with courses held in 15 partner countries.

BMATT CZ's Long-Term Benefits

The submitted material to the Government highlights several long-term benefits of BMATT’s presence in the Czech Republic:

• The presence of BMATT CZ significantly facilitates and reduces the cost of participation of the Czech Armed Forces in the courses organised by the Czech Armed Forces, as it eliminates the need to cover high travel and living expenses in case of sending to courses organised by the UK abroad.
   
• The operation of BMATT CZ on the territory of the Czech Republic also contributes to a more efficient use of the extensive military complex in Vyškov, which was originally built to meet the needs of a Czechoslovak army several times larger.
   
• The BMATT CZ operation on the territory of the Czech Republic increases the prestige of the Czech Republic both within NATO and among other partner countries involved.BMATT courses are largely attended by members of the armed forces of countries whose support is a strategic security interest of the Czech Republic (Ukraine, Moldova, Western Balkan countries).

The British government expressed interest in extending BMATT’s stay in the Czech Republic in a note from its embassy dated 29 February 2024. The current approved stay, granted in 2020, expires on 9 October 2025. The Czech government has approved an extension of BMATT's presence for 2025-2030, with the final decision pending approval from both houses of Parliament after discussions in the defense committees.