Filip Říha, Deputy Minister for Armaments and Acquisition of the Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of the Czech Republic, signed a contract with the Austrian company Goldeck Textil GmbH, which will deliver to the Army of the Czech Republic 39 276 sets of green-patterned clothes for training and active service both in the Czech Republic and abroad. Furthermore, our troops will receive up to 3 535 sets with sand print for service in operations abroad in desert areas.

Picture: Czech soldiers should receive 39 276 sets of clothing with green print intended for training and active service both in the Czech Republic and abroad. | army.cz

The Austrian company won the tender and is a time-proven supplier. The Department of Defence has already purchased equipment for soldiers in the past. “We have had good experience with the supplier company before. Clothing for soldiers is an important commodity that we have to order continuously and in the long-term. The army will recruit new soldiers and it is necessary to provide the clothing necessary in the field for them as well. It is an important contract for the Czech army,” said Deputy Minister Filip Říha. The Czech army will accept the delivery of the first part of the supply in the third quarter of this year. More sets of gear will be ordered continuously as needed.

Picture: "We have had good experience with the supplier company before. Clothing for soldiers is an important commodity that we have to order continuously and in the long-term,“ said Deputy Minister Filip Říha (pictured left) | army.cz

Goldeck Textil GmbH took part for example in the tender for supplying sleeping bags in the past, but was eventually defeated by the Czech company Fenix Protector. In its portfolio, Goldeck has a number of companies that produce bed linen, advanced materials, but also the well-known brand Carinthia, which is mainly engaged in the production of sleeping bags and jackets. It is therefore a time-proven company, which prides itself on production in Europe. “For us, “Made in Europe” is more than just a trend.  We have been manufacturing in Europe for more than 70 years. We know that our customers appreciate this commitment and the philosophy of quality connected to it,” says the company website.

Picture: Possible design of the future Czech camouflage pattern, which should be variation of the multicam camouflage pattern

I believe that this step will please many of our soldiers, provided that everything is actually delivered in time and that delivery begins this year. However, it is not clear exactly which colour pattern was chosen. That is not to be found on the Ministry of Defence website. If the current camouflage pattern 95 is ordered, it will not be a bad decision, but it would be a bit surprising in connection with the long-awaited change in the Czech Army’s camouflage pattern.