During the IDET 2025 trade fair, representatives of the Association of the Defense and Security Industry of the Czech Republic (AOBP) signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of the defense industry with their Slovak counterparts from the Association of the Security and Defense Industry of the Slovak Republic (ZBOP). This is another important step in deepening defense cooperation between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which will benefit the armed forces of both countries.

The aim of the signed memorandum of cooperation is to deepen cooperation between Czech and Slovak defense industry companies that are also members of AOBP and ZBOP, to support the promotion of their business interests, and to develop research, development, and innovation in the defense industry. According to ZBOP Chairman Pavol Čahoj, supporting and creating platforms that take into account the current needs of security policy and new challenges within NATO and the EU is key to the development of the arms industry in both countries.

Another objective of the memorandum is to develop human capital in the defense industry. This mainly involves educating and supporting technically skilled and qualified workers, who are indispensable to this sector. In general, educating a new generation of qualified experts for the defense industry is extremely important today, as the current security situation requires an increase in production capacity, which is not possible without a skilled workforce. At the same time, a sufficient number of specialists and experts in production provides Czech and Slovak companies with greater opportunities to participate in modernization projects of the armed forces.

The memorandum of cooperation is another step towards deepening defense cooperation between the Czech Republic and Slovakia. In recent years, cooperation between the two countries in this area has been developing dynamically. For example, the Czech Republic helps protect Slovakia's airspace, Czech soldiers are part of the Multinational Battle Group in Slovakia, and both countries are coordinating the purchase of CV90 infantry fighting vehicles. Recently, Slovakia decided to join the Czech Republic in purchasing new logistics and cargo vehicles. Further development of mutual relations in the field of defense and security can be beneficial not only for the Czech Republic and Slovakia, but also for the entire Central European region. The memorandum can also lay the foundation for building a regional industrial base that may be of interest to partners from other parts of Europe.