On Friday, September 19, the Šternberk-based Excalibur Army put into operation a new production hall, which will significantly increase its production capacity and bring work to dozens of new employees. The ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Defence Jana Černochová and other guests from political and public life.
The Excalibur Army company is one of the most important companies in the Czech defence industry and has shown very strong growth in terms of production and economy in recent years. The increasing interest of customers in Excalibur Army products and services requires a larger volume of production and also the need for new employees. The company is therefore investing significantly in its capabilities, and the latest evidence of its growth is the new production hall and the adjacent administrative building on its premises.
As part of the opening of the new production hall in Šternberk, representatives of Excalibur Army and KNDS Deutschland signed a memorandum of understanding to provide repairs and maintenance of Leopard 2 tanks.
The ceremonial opening of the new hall, with an area of 6,600 m², was attended by representatives of Excalibur Army and the CSG group, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Defence, headed by Minister Jana Černochová. Also present were a delegation of deputies of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, representatives of the Olomouc Region and the city of Šternberk, led by Governor Ladislav Oklešťek and Mayor Stanislav Orság, guests from diplomatic circles, and representatives of industrial partners of Excalibur Army and the CSG group.
Minister Jana Černochová, who has been actively and long-term supporting the growth of the Czech defence industry, said at the ceremony in Šternberk:
"Today is a significant day not only for Excalibur Army, but for the entire Czech defence industry and, as a result, for the defence capability of the Czech Republic. The new production hall will not only bring jobs to many people, but will also strengthen our production capacities, which is very important in the current security situation. The ability to repair and maintain military equipment on our territory is in our strategic interest."
Excalibur Army CEO Vladimír Stulančák emphasized the importance of the new hall for the company and the impact of the Czech state's support on the domestic industry:
"The commissioning of the new hall is not only a technical and investment milestone for our company, but also a symbolic gift that we give ourselves on the 30th anniversary of our founding. The new hall undoubtedly reflects the dynamic development of our company. 2024 was the most successful year in history for Excalibur Army in all aspects, and 2025 continues this trajectory. However, I would like to emphasize that the support of the Czech state and its institutions plays a fundamental role in our success, not only for our company, but for the entire Czech defence industry. So I would like to thank the Minister of Defence Jana Černochová and her team, the AMOS agency, and everyone with whom we cooperate in the state administration."
Excalibur Army is currently the driving force behind the growth of the Czech defence industry and one of the engines of the global success of the CSG group. During the ceremony, CSG Defence Division Director Jan Marcinoval also recalled the fundamental importance of cooperation with the Czech Army:
"Excalibur Army and its growth have always been based on exports. Like its parent group CSG, it has global operations. At the same time, it is a manufacturer that is always ready to prioritize the needs of the Czech Army. The opening of a new modern production hall means not only new jobs and other benefits for the Czech economy, but also strengthening the security of supply for the Czech armed forces not only in peacetime but also in security crises, when the state can fully rely only on the industry it has on its territory."
Memorandum between KNDS Deutschland and Excalibur Army
The ceremony also included the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Excalibur Army and KNDS Deutschland, which confirms the intention of both parties to develop long-term cooperation in the field of maintenance, repair and modernization of Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks operated by the Army of the Czech Republic. The aim of the memorandum is to create a framework for effective support of the operation and lifecycle of this equipment in the Czech Republic.
This agreement builds on the long-term and successful cooperation of the CSG group with the French and German parts of KNDS. In the Czech Republic, the CSG group ensures the share of domestic industry in the Caesar howitzer project, a product of KNDS France, for the Army of the Czech Republic. For this project, the Tatra Trucks automobile manufacturer supplies the chassis, the Tatra Defence company supplies the cabins, and Excalibur Army acts as an integrator.
Another joint project of CSG with KNDS France is the TITUS armoured vehicle. 62 of these were delivered to the Czech Army and a contract for another 24 was recently signed. The memorandum thus represents another step in deepening cooperation with the KNDS group, which has been developing successfully in recent years.
About the new production hall of Excalibur Army
The new hall is intended for the assembly of all equipment from the company's portfolio and is therefore adapted for both tracked and wheeled vehicles, including howitzers, rocket launchers, tanks and combat vehicles, as well as bridge vehicles, rescue vehicles or special vehicles.
The hall provides space for approximately 150 people to work, with the possibility of production in two to three shifts. It also includes a three-storey administrative part with a built-up area of 850 m², which provides facilities for up to 60 administrative workers. The production area itself has dimensions of 83 × 80 meters, i.e. approximately 6,600 m², with a hall height of around 13 meters. A structure for photovoltaic panels with an output of 100 kW is installed on the roof of the hall.
The new hall, with its administrative part, together with the original entrance part of the entire company premises, creates a visually unified element representing the entire factory in a modern way. The hall has a simple square floorplan and is based on bored piles that support the columns and floor slab. The supporting structure consists of a reinforced concrete prefabricated skeleton with a flat roof equipped with a catch system and polycarbonate skylights.
The fillings of the openings are mainly aluminium glazed, and in the production part of the hall there are sectional doors in the perimeter shell. An outdoor steel shelter connects to the hall on the east side, protecting the preparation area for loading equipment into the side stationary workplaces of the hall. In addition to complete distribution, the hall equipment also includes storage racks for assembly parts, bridge cranes, pneumatic wrenches, and exhaust gas extraction.
The hall is adjacent to a new administrative part, which is shaped like the letter L. This three-storey building is also connected to a part of the engine rooms. The entire new building is connected to the existing main entrance building of the company's premises by a lightweight connecting bridge made of steel construction with an aluminium glazed façade.
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