The recent IDET 2025 trade fair in Brno was truly spectacular. More than 650 exhibiting companies from 35 countries presented their products and services, and over 35,000 visitors attended the fair over three days.

Video: Extensive report from the IDET 2025 trade fair / CZ DEFENCE

The importance of the IDET trade fair for representatives of the Czech defence industry was commented on by Jiří Hynek, President of the Association of the Defence and Security Industry (AOBP), as follows: "Thank you for organising this trade fair, which is very important for the defence and security industry, as it allows us to show not only our armed and security forces, but also more than 50 foreign delegations what we can produce and how far we have come in terms of technology."

And there was indeed a lot to see. Among the Czech innovations, we can mention, for example, the ceremonial unveiling and christening by Defence Minister Jana Černochová of the new Pandur 8x8 EVO wheeled combat vehicle from Tatra Defence Vehicle (part of the CSG group), which took place on the first day of the fair. "I am glad that so much military equipment is manufactured in the Czech Republic, which is also important for our self-sufficiency. I have always been in favour of our ministry supporting Czech industry not only by promoting it abroad, but also by purchasing our products," said Černochová during the christening of the new Czech armoured vehicle.

The importance of the Pandur 8x8 EVO wheeled armoured vehicle, developed and manufactured in the Czech Republic, was also highlighted by the prestigious Golden IDET 2025 award. In addition to the Pandur 8x8, the CSG Group's portfolio also included the Patriot 4x4 armoured vehicle, a modernised version of the Tatra T 810 M vehicle, modernised Pandur II 8x8 vehicles with a turret mortar system and a light turret designed for short-range air defence with a 30 mm cannon, and much more, such as the latest generation of the RM-70 Vampire rocket launcher on a Tatra 8x8 chassis.

Retia also presented its latest innovations in the form of the world premiere of the SAAV (Situational Awareness for Armoured Vehicles) electronic vehicle situation awareness system using artificial intelligence elements, and a development project for a new air force command and control system developed in cooperation with the Israeli company TSG Advanced Systems.

The CSG Group's exhibition also featured a selected portfolio of ammunition and special equipment from MSM Group. Under the ZVS brand, 30 mm ammunition, 155 mm artillery ammunition compatible with NATO standards and a wide range of pyrotechnic components were presented.

The new generation of the TURRA 30 V10 combat turret from the Slovak company EVPÚ also made its world premiere at this year's fair. It is capable of providing multi-level protection against attack drones, including their elimination. The new turret with composite ballistic protection features modern elements such as integrated SPIKE LR2 anti-tank missiles directly in the turret complex, a compartment with SPEAR multi-purpose drones and the HARPIA active protection system.

Among other things, EVPÚ Defence presented new variants of weapon stations with integrated microwave sensors, such as a modification of the GLADIUS 12 weapon station for 12.7 mm calibre machine guns.

The trade fair also featured a modern ground-based air defence system in the form of the MARS 4x4 vehicle with an integrated RBS 70 NG anti-aircraft system. This project is the result of close cooperation between the Czech company SVOS Přelouč and the Swedish arms manufacturer Saab Dynamics AB. Twenty-five units of this effective air defence system will serve in the Czech Army's 25th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment, as decided by the Ministry of Defence at the end of May. "The acquisition of the RBS 70 NG very short-range system, which is supplemented by a turret station on the MARS vehicle chassis, will give us greater mobility and ballistic protection for the crew. This is our response to the nature of contemporary conflicts, where mobility and force protection are priorities," said Colonel Jaroslav Daverný from the Ministry of Defence's Force Development Section, who is responsible for the modernisation of the ground air defence forces.

STV GROUP, the only Czech manufacturer of large-calibre ammunition, also exhibited its product portfolio. In addition to various types of ammunition, visitors to the STV GROUP stand could also see, for example, the FLYER 72 light multi-purpose vehicle from the American company Flyer Defence, top-of-the-range Caiman helmets from the renowned manufacturer Galvion, various tactical equipment and machine guns from the Czech company Archon Firearms.

Among the wide portfolio of rifles and pistols on display at the Česká zbrojovka stand, the main attraction was the new CZ BREN 3 rifle, which had its world premiere at last year's Eurosatory trade fair.  Among the handguns, the CZ SHADOW 2 CARRY pistol made its debut at IDET, combining high accuracy, advanced safety and the ergonomics of sporting models in a compact design ideal for everyday carry. The CZ P-09 NOCTURNE model also attracted a lot of attention. It represents the latest innovation in the popular family of pistols with a polymer frame and OMEGA SA/DA trigger mechanism. Ammunition manufacturer Sellier & Bellot, part of the Colt CZ Group, also presented its portfolio at the fair.

AGADOS presented several new products at this year's IDET, such as an off-road modular trailer that can accommodate several superstructures on a single chassis according to customer requirements. Visitors could also check out a mobile zero-emission power generator on an AGADOS chassis and a trailer with a running gear for transporting ISO 1C containers.

The PBS GROUP stand showcased various types of cutting-edge jet engines, which are in high demand worldwide. In response to the enormous growth in demand for small aircraft engines, PBS GROUP has launched a series of extensive investments in production and in its newly independent technological development division. New halls will be built on the company's extensive premises and new employees will be hired.

In addition to the companies mentioned above, visitors to the IDET trade fair were also able to see products from other Czech companies such as ERA, MESIT, CONTSYSTEM, TENEO, Ray Service, and others.

This year's IDET 2025 trade fair once again confirmed that it is a key presentation platform for domestic producers and is also enjoying growing interest among foreign exhibitors.