The interview with Radomír Smolka, Director of Research and Development at Tatra Defence Vehicle and a member of the Board of Directors of Tatra Trucks, focused on the main theme of the DEFENCEO conference, “From Cars to Defense.” Right at the outset, Smolka emphasized that the current debate about the possible shift of some companies from the automotive to the defense sector is highly relevant, as the European automotive industry has been struggling with problems for a long time. That is precisely why, according to him, an increasing number of automotive companies are turning not only to Tatra Trucks and Tatra Defence Vehicle, but also, more generally, to companies within the Czechoslovak Group.

Video: Radomír Smolka: Tatra Is a Strategic Advantage for Defense / CZ DEFENCE

At the same time, however, he pointed out that entering the defense sector is significantly more complicated than it might seem at first glance. The main challenges are the differing production volumes and the long time it takes for a company to truly establish itself in the defense industry. According to Smolka, the best opportunities do not necessarily lie with traditional manufacturing companies, but primarily with development and engineering firms that have previously worked for the automotive industry. It is precisely in the areas of development, design, and technical know-how that he sees the greatest potential for a transition from the automotive to the defense sector. For purely manufacturing companies—especially those owned by large foreign conglomerates—he believes the situation will be much more complicated.

From Tatra’s perspective, Smolka does not view cooperation with the automotive sector as a threat. On the contrary, he pointed out that Tatra has built a very robust supply and production system of its own. It is capable of producing key vehicle components – its own engine, transmission, cab, and chassis – largely on its own. As a result, its dependence on suppliers outside Europe – and to a large extent outside the Czech Republic – is relatively low. According to Smolka, this is exceptionally important not only in terms of industrial stability but also in terms of national security and the ability to meet the requirements of the military and foreign customers.

At the same time, however, he pointed out that production volumes in the defense sector cannot be compared to those of major automakers. Although Tatra has been growing significantly in recent years, its output is still on a different scale than that of companies such as Škoda Auto or Hyundai. Therefore, according to Smolka, it is unrealistic to expect the defense sector to be able to absorb a large portion of automotive suppliers. According to him, this very idea emerged as one of the central themes of the entire conference – the defense industry may represent a significant opportunity for some companies, but it cannot serve as a blanket substitute for the automotive sector.

A significant part of the interview focused on how the war in Ukraine has changed the requirements for military vehicles since 2022. Smolka confirmed that the conflict has had an impact on both the design and the equipment of Tatra platforms. The proportion of vehicles intended for military use has increased, and there has been a significant rise in the emphasis on crew protection. An ever-increasing proportion of vehicles is now equipped with armored cabins, and requirements for protection against chemical agents – specifically, requirements for filtration and ventilation systems – are also on the rise.
According to Smolka, electromagnetic compatibility and the protection of vehicles against detection or the negative effects of the electromagnetic environment have also become major topics. It is precisely in these areas that Tatra is currently directing a significant portion of its development and laboratory efforts.

Smolka described the complete renewal of Tatra’s product portfolio in 2024 and 2025 as an important milestone. The company modernized its Phoenix civilian line and introduced a new generation of the Tatra Force line, which is specifically designed for special and military purposes. Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine were already incorporated into the development of this series, as the conflict began while the new vehicle was being developed. This allowed Tatra to continuously adjust the original specifications and adapt the design to new requirements based on real-world battlefield conditions.

Smolka also emphasized that it is difficult to single out one specific flagship project. According to him, Tatra is proud of every vehicle that helps protect people’s lives and health – whether in a military setting or, for example, with fire and rescue services. He noted that development at the company is currently very dynamic and is moving toward new vehicle variants aimed, among other things, at simplifying operation. The next logical step is expected to be the development of remotely controlled and partially autonomous vehicles. Tatra considers remote and autonomous control to be one of the areas that will gain increasing importance in the future.

At the end of the interview, Smolka strongly emphasized the importance of domestic industrial capabilities. According to him, the saying “what’s made at home counts” fully applies in the current geopolitical and security situation. Today, Tatra is capable of building a vehicle using roughly 90 percent Czech-made components and 100 percent European-made components. According to Smolka, this is a huge advantage not only for the Czech Republic but also for European NATO countries. As an example, he cited the latest generation of Tatra’s air-cooled engines, which are almost entirely equipped with components from Czech manufacturers. Among other things, he mentioned collaboration with ČZ Strakonice on turbochargers and with Motorpal on fuel injection systems. Czech know-how is also behind the cabs for the Tatra Force, interior fittings, and armored cabs manufactured by the partner company Tatra Defence Vehicle.

Overall, the interview revealed that Tatra represents an exceptionally important element of domestic industrial self-sufficiency in the Czech defense industry. According to Smolka, the main opportunity lies not only in production itself, but above all in the ability to develop, modernize, and adapt vehicles to the changing requirements of the security environment. The automotive sector can offer the defense industry valuable engineering capabilities and technical know-how; however, entry into the defense segment will be successful primarily where companies are able to understand the specifics of long-term projects, smaller production volumes, security requirements, and a high degree of technical responsibility.