In the middle of March, the Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV) and Tatra Trucks companies in Kopřivnice welcomed two visits by members of the Czech Army. They were artillerymen from the 13th Artillery Regiment from Jince and members of the Training Command - Military Academy from Vyškov. The soldiers visited the production facilities of the companies and had the opportunity to see and test the equipment produced in Kopřivnice for the Czech Armed Forces.

Picture: In mid-March, the Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV) and Tatra Trucks companies in Kopřivnice welcomed two visits by members of the Czech Army. | CSG

Tatra Defence Vehicle, a company belonging to the Czechoslovak Group (CSG) holding, is engaged in the development, production, repair and modernisation of armoured ground vehicles. The main pillars of its portfolio are Pandur II 8x8 armoured vehicles and TITUS 6x6 vehicles. The first type has already been in the armament of the Czech Armed Forces for over ten years, the second will be introduced into the armament in the very near future. TDV has delivered 20 Pandur II CZ vehicles in the KOVS (Wheeled Armored Communications Vehicle) and KOVVŠ (Wheeled Armored Command and Staff Vehicle) versions to the Army in the past years and also provides maintenance services for all Pandurs in the arsenal of the Czech Armed Forces. Currently, TDV is working fully on the TITUS program. Together with Tatra Trucks and other partner companies, they have completed six prototypes in three versions ordered by the Army - i.e. KOVS, KOVVŠ and MKPP (Fire Support Coordination Point).

Picture: Soldiers inspecting the TITUS armoured vehicle | CSG

The prescribed trials of the TITUS vehicles are now underway. The MKPP version is designed for artillerymen, and it was one of the prototypes of this version that members of the 13th Artillery Regiment from Jince were able to see and test in mid-March at the Tatra Trucks testing ground. They could thus get a concrete idea of the future equipment of their unit, which is preparing for the transition to modern Caesar artillery systems and new command, communication and fire control systems. During the visit, representatives of Tatra Trucks and TDV gave them an overview of the production programmes of both companies, followed by a tour of TDV's production facilities. The soldiers had the opportunity to see the production process of modern armoured vehicles intended for the Czech Army, as well as the equipment developed and manufactured by Czechoslovak Group holding companies for foreign customers.

Picture: Representatives of Tatra Trucks and TDV gave the soldiers an overview of the production programmes of both companies during their visit, followed by a tour of the TDV production facilities | CSG

After the artillerymen, specialists and instructors from the Training Command - Military Academy also visited Kopřivnice in mid-March. Representatives of TDV and Tatra Trucks gave them an overview of the current production programmes of both companies and showed them the production facilities where armoured vehicles and world-famous trucks are born, which, apart from the Czech Army, serve in many other armed forces.

Picture: The soldiers were able to try out different types of Tatra vehicles on their own at the Tatra test range, which is one of the largest in Europe. | CSG

They were then able to try out different types of Tatra vehicles for themselves on the Tatra test polygon, which is one of the largest in Europe. Representatives of companies and soldiers could also exchange experiences and knowledge that are beneficial for both sides, as Tatra vehicles are the backbone of the logistics capabilities of the Czech Armed Forces, Pandurs are the backbone of the 4th Rapid Deployment Brigade and TITUS vehicles will soon become one of the main tools of the army's command and control system.

Picture: The soldiers were able to try out different types of Tatra vehicles on their own at the Tatra test range, which is one of the largest in Europe. | CSG

Picture: The soldiers were able to try out different types of Tatra vehicles on their own at the Tatra test range, which is one of the largest in Europe. | CSG

Picture: The soldiers were able to try out different types of Tatra vehicles on their own at the Tatra test range, which is one of the largest in Europe. | CSG