Technika a trh

aerospace industry l events

The twentieth anniversary

edition of NATO Days in

Ostrava & Czech Air Force

Days will be truly unique.

Despite the coronavirus

crisis, the traditional biggest armed forces show

in Europe will offer an

enticing live programme

as a thanks to all those

who protect us.

The programme will be

made available to viewers

via modern technology

to provide the best

experience possible.

As one of only a few events of its type in

Europe, NATO Days in Ostrava & Czech

Air Force Days remain firmly anchored in

the calendar, which has otherwise been thrown into disarray by the coronavirus crisis

and emergency measures taken to prevent

the spread of the disease.

Held on 19th and 20th September at the

Leoš Janáček Airport in Ostrava, the event

will thus offer viewers, albeit remotely, a twoday programme of dynamic demonstrations on the ground and in the air. "After extensive discussions with hygienists and

epidemiologists, we found a way to hold

the event in as authentic a way as possible

while respecting all directives and criteria

to prevent the spread of coronavirus," says

Zbyněk Pavlačík, chairman of Jagello

2000, which organises the event.

The twentieth anniversary edition will

thus be wholly unique in a number of

ways. The programme will focus on dynamic demonstrations as much as possible.

The organisers want these to commemorate several important anniversaries. Aside

from the 75th anniversary of the end of

World War II, these demonstrations are also intended to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the JAS-39 Gripen aircraft in Czech

armed forces. "In addition, we will have

the honour of holding the official thanksgiving to members of the armed forces and

of the integrated emergency service system for their hard work during the coronavirus crisis," Pavlačík adds.

The key mission and purpose of the

event remains unchanged according to

Pavlačík: to show viewers the latest military equipment and the best that the police,

the fire brigade, the ambulance service, customs offices, the prison service and other

special 2020

T+T Technika a trh

19.–20. 9. 2020

...20th edition to thank

those who protect us

services have at their disposal. However,

the organisers also understand the severity

of the current unprecedented situation.

"Like many other events around the world,

we are unfortunately unable to permit visitors direct access to the event grounds.

We will do the best we can, as technology

allows, to provide viewers with an experience as close to the real thing as possible,"

says Pavlačík. Despite these limitations,

the event will still be the only one of its

kind in Central Europe. As Pavlačík added,

the safety of visitors, participants, co-organisers and partners always was, is and will

be at the top of the priority list.

In addition to the above changes, the

special partner country of the event this

year will be the Czech Republic, not the

originally announced Sweden, which will

assume the role in 2021. Due to the adjustment in format, it is expected that static

displays of equipment will be omitted from

this year's event. The organisers will endeavour to find

suitable alternatives for air forces that

were slated to participate in these displays.

"The current situation also affects the

number of active foreign demonstration

teams participating in the event. Just yesterday, the British Typhoon Display Team

cancelled its plans for the entire season.

However, we are confident that we will be

able to offer the traditional, attractive programme of dynamic air and ground presentations. All information about participants, both Czech and foreign, will be

regularly updated as the situation develops and more information becomes available," concludes Zbyněk Pavlačík.