NATO Days Ostrava Highlights Czech Military Modernization

The Czech Republic is using NATO Days in Ostrava on September 19-20 to display several pillars of its military modernization, including Leopard 2 tanks, CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and the new C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Czech defense companies are simultaneously presenting armored vehicles, radar systems, ammunition and military trucks, giving the event a broader defense-industrial role beyond its air and ground demonstrations.

The 26th NATO Days in Ostrava and 17th Czech Air Force Days are being held at Leoš Janáček Ostrava Airport with participation from 14 countries and NATO. The organizers listed nearly 80 aircraft for the event, while the weekend program includes more than 18 hours of air and ground demonstrations.

Leopard 2 and CV90 point to Czech heavy brigade modernization

The Czech Army is displaying equipment connected to the development of its heavy ground forces, including the Leopard 2 family and the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle.

The Sunday program includes a CV90 demonstration by BAE Systems and a separate Leopard 2A8 appearance. The event also features the Leopard 2A4, which has already entered Czech service.

The two vehicle families represent major elements of Prague's transition toward a heavier, NATO-compatible land force. The Czech Republic selected the CV90 for its tracked infantry fighting vehicle program, while Leopard 2 tanks are replacing Soviet-origin armored equipment in the Czech force structure.

VOP CZ is also displaying a Leopard 2A4 at Ostrava. The Czech state-owned company works with Rheinmetall on support for the tanks operated by the Czech Army and is involved in the country's broader armored vehicle industrial base.

Czech Air Force presents C-390 Millennium to the public

The Czech Armed Forces are also using NATO Days for the first public static presentation of their new C-390 Millennium transport aircraft.

The Czech Air Force received the aircraft in July 2026, according to NATO Days organizers. Its appearance at Ostrava therefore provides the public with its first close view of the platform after delivery.

Aero Vodochody is meanwhile scheduled to demonstrate the L-39 Skyfox on Sunday. The Czech-built aircraft adds a domestic aerospace component to an event otherwise featuring aircraft from multiple NATO members and partner countries.

Germany has the largest foreign presence at the 2026 event as the special partner nation. German equipment includes Eurofighter Typhoon and Tornado combat aircraft, A400M transports, NH90 and Tiger helicopters, Leopard 2A7 tanks, Puma infantry fighting vehicles, Boxer armored vehicles and Panzerhaubitze 2000 self-propelled howitzers.

CSG and Tatra bring Czech defense production to Ostrava

Czechoslovak Group and Tatra are using NATO Days to present a cross-section of the Czech defense-industrial base.

The Czechoslovak Group exhibition includes Tatra Defence, Retia, MSM Group, Excalibur International, AviaNera Technologies and Eldis. Their displays cover military and logistics vehicles, armored platforms, radar technology, ammunition and related defense systems.

Tatra is separately presenting variants of the third-generation Tatra Force vehicle family. The trucks serve as platforms for military logistics and specialized systems in the Czech Republic and other European markets.

Saturday's program included a joint CSG and Tatra Defence demonstration of the Pandur 8x8 EVO and TITUS 6x6 KOVVŠ M2. The combination of operational equipment and industrial exhibits illustrates the increasingly close connection between Czech procurement programs and the country's domestic production capacity.

That industrial element matters beyond the Czech market. Czech manufacturers have expanded their role in European ammunition, military vehicle, radar and support-system supply chains as NATO members increase procurement and rebuild inventories.

Ostrava brings NATO equipment and Czech industry together

NATO Days 2026 provides a concentrated view of the equipment entering Czech service alongside systems operated by neighboring NATO members.

The Sunday schedule starts with the site opening at 08:30 and includes demonstrations involving the CV90, German Tiger attack helicopter, L-39 Skyfox, Slovenian PC-9M and Leopard 2A8. Czech reconnaissance and electronic warfare forces are also scheduled for a tactical demonstration.

The event therefore shows several modernization tracks at the same location: heavy armor, tactical aviation, air transport, electronic warfare, logistics and domestic defense production.

For the Czech Republic, the significance extends beyond displaying individual platforms. Prague is simultaneously replacing legacy equipment, building a NATO heavy brigade structure and maintaining an industrial base capable of participating in European rearmament programs.

NATO Days Ostrava 2026: key questions

When are NATO Days Ostrava 2026?

The 26th NATO Days in Ostrava and 17th Czech Air Force Days take place on September 19-20, 2026, at Leoš Janáček Ostrava Airport in the Czech Republic.

Which Czech modernization programs are displayed at NATO Days?

The event includes the Leopard 2 tank family, CV90 infantry fighting vehicle and the Czech Air Force's C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Aero Vodochody is also demonstrating the Czech-built L-39 Skyfox.

Which Czech defense companies are exhibiting in Ostrava?

Czechoslovak Group and Tatra are special partners of the event. The CSG exhibition includes Tatra Defence, Retia, MSM Group, Excalibur International, AviaNera Technologies and Eldis.

Which countries are participating in NATO Days 2026?

Organizers said representatives of 14 countries and NATO confirmed participation. Germany is the 2026 special partner nation and has the largest foreign equipment presence at the event.

NATO Days closes on September 20, with the final program providing another opportunity for Czech and allied forces and manufacturers to present equipment that increasingly reflects the modernization of NATO's Central European members.