Today, a ceremony will take place at Žižkov Barracks in Olomouc, where members of the Czech Army Ground Forces Command will oversee the handover of command. The current commander, Major General Roman Náhončík, will relinquish his post to Brigadier General Josef Trojánek after two years leading the largest unit of the Czech Army.

Today's ceremony marking the transfer of command will be attended by Minister of Defence Jana Černochová, Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces Lieutenant General Karel Řehka, the Governor of the Olomouc Region Ladislav Okleštěk, and other distinguished guests.

General Trojánek's military career is closely tied to the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, where he advanced from commander of the 2nd Mechanised Platoon of the 2nd Mechanised Company of the 42nd Mechanised Battalion to brigade commander (2019–2021). From June 2021 to September 2022, he served as Deputy Director of the MoD Capability Planning Section. After completing studies at the Royal College of Defence Studies, he assumed the role of Deputy Commander of the Operations Command, a position he held from last August until now. Brig. Gen. Trojánek has extensive experience in international deployments, including missions in Kosovo (IFOR, KFOR), Bosnia and Herzegovina (SFOR), and Afghanistan (ISAF).

The Ground Forces of the Czech Army consist of three main maneuver elements (combat forces):

• 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, which includes the 41st Mechanised Battalion, 42nd Mechanised Battalion, and 44th Light Motorised Battalion
• 7th Mechanised Brigade, which includes the 71st Mechanised Battalion, 72nd Mechanised Battalion, 73rd Tank Battalion, and 74th Mechanised Battalion
• 43rd Airborne Regiment

Combat support forces include the 13th Artillery Regiment, 15th Engineer Regiment, 31st Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Regiment, and 53rd Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare Regiment. The 14th Logistic Support Regiment provides logistical assistance.

The Ground Forces form the backbone of the Czech Army, comprising approximately 13,000 professional soldiers. Their primary mission is to prepare forces to defend the Czech Republic and fulfill international obligations. These forces are highly mobile, flexible, and well-equipped to operate across the full spectrum of military operations. They play a key role in international military efforts, particularly within NATO, EU, or UN frameworks, with training focused on achieving interoperability.

The Ground Forces are undergoing extensive modernization. For instance, artillery units will see significant improvements with the introduction of CAESAR weapon systems and advanced fire control systems. The 7th Mechanised Brigade is transitioning to the Leopard 2 tank platform and the new Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. Meanwhile, the Pandur II 8x8 CZ vehicles, used by the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade, are set for a Mid-Life Upgrade.

Our only heavy brigade, the 7th Mechanised Brigade, is switching to the Leopard 2 tank platform and the new Swedish CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. The existing Pandur II 8x8 CZ vehicles serving with the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade are due for an upgrade, or Mid-Life Upgrade.

Velkým tématem nejen pro Pozemní síly AČR je rekrutace, neboť většina útvarů AČR má nyní výrazný podstav. Problematiku personální naplněnosti jasně popsal ve své řeči v rámci nedávného velitelského shromáždění náčelník generálního štábu genpor. Karel Řehka: „Potřebujeme nejenom víc výzbroje, ale hlavně potřebujeme víc lidí. Předběžné odhady na základě našich analýz hovoří až o 37,5 tisíci vojáků z povolání, což je o 7,5 tisíc víc než náš současný limit, který jsme si stanovili v koncepci výstavby Armády České republiky,“ řekl generál a zároveň upozornil na současný neuspokojivý personální stav armády. Profesionálních vojáků má nyní armáda k dispozici zhruba 24 tisíc, proto je podle genpor. Řehky nutné vyvinout maximální úsilí jak pro udržení stávajících počtů, tak jejich posilování na požadované počty. A tomu je potřeba podřídit celý rekrutační proces.

The Czech Armed Forces register approximately 7,000 candidates annually, but only a small fraction proceed to join the ranks. "The recruitment process is desperately slow and discouraging. We are barely covering the number of personnel departures, which continue to grow and may exceed recruitment this year," warned General Řehka.

In response, the Chief of the General Staff has commissioned a draft action plan to address recruitment and personnel stabilization. This plan will propose specific measures to be implemented progressively across various levels.
“The measures may be radical, but they are necessary. Military service must be attractive and competitive in the labor market. If we must prioritize investing in personnel over modernizing equipment, so be it. We are heading toward a situation where we may have new equipment but no personnel to operate it. The army is losing its competitiveness in the labor market, which has become a truly strategic and urgent issue. For us, combat capability remains the primary concern,” said Lt. Gen. Karel Řehka.