At the international defence and security technology fair IDET 2025, companies from the CSG group traditionally showcased their products and services. CSG also served as the event’s general partner. Companies such as Tatra Export (representing Tatra Trucks), Tatra Defence Vehicle, Excalibur Army, Retia, Eldis, Pocket Virtuality, MSM Group, and Excalibur International presented the results of their development and manufacturing efforts. The highlight of the CSG group's exhibition was the next-generation combat vehicle Pandur 8x8 EVO, which made its world premiere at the event.
The unveiling of the new Pandur 8x8 EVO vehicle, developed by Tatra Defence Vehicle (TDV), took place on the first day of the fair. The ceremonial launch was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, led by Minister Jana Černochová, who christened the vehicle and wished it great success, confirming it as a leading candidate for re-equipping Czech Army units: “I’m pleased that so much military equipment is manufactured in the Czech Republic, which is essential for our self-sufficiency. I have always supported our ministry’s backing of Czech industry, not only through international promotion, but also by purchasing our domestic products.” President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel also visited the CSG booth, showing interest in the innovations displayed by the companies, including the new Pandur 8x8 EVO.
The christening ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Czech defence industry, including Lubomír Kovařík, Chairman of the Defence Industry Section of the Czech Chamber of Commerce, and other invited guests. Kovařík highlighted the economic benefits of producing military vehicles like the Pandur in the Czech Republic: “All of these products have a multiplier effect on the Czech economy. We’ve calculated that the multiplier effect is around 2, and for high-end technologies like the Pandur, it can be as high as 3, which is undoubtedly something that is significantly strengthening the Czech economy.” The importance of the domestically developed and manufactured Pandur 8x8 EVO was further underscored by its receipt of the prestigious Golden IDET 2025 Award.
The Pandur 8x8 EVO platform is designed with enhanced ballistic and mine protection for both the crew and the vehicle itself. It is equipped with cutting-edge electronic and communication systems and offers high combat efficiency. It also features AI-based situational awareness systems that help the crew perceive the battlefield more effectively and the Iron Fist active protection system, capable of detecting and neutralizing anti-tank rounds, guided missiles, and enemy drones.
“The Pandur 8x8 EVO offers a high level of crew protection, both passive and active, which sets it apart from the previous generation. Passive protection alone is no longer sufficient on today’s battlefield. This new vehicle functions as a system, integrating all modern technologies and incorporating lessons learned from today’s conflicts. It's not just a new vehicle, it’s a whole new generation platform,” said TDV CEO Tomáš Mohapl.
TDV also brought to Brno two modernized Pandur II 8x8 vehicles equipped with new-generation unmanned turrets. One featured a turret-mounted 120 mm mortar system compatible with a wide range of NATO ammunition. The other was outfitted with a lightweight turret for short-range air defence, armed with a 30 mm cannon and surface-to-air missiles.
Tatra Export showcased the full range of Tatra Trucks' military vehicles, including several premieres. Key highlights included the modernized Tatra 810 M, a medium-duty 4x4 logistics vehicle with a payload capacity of up to 5.2 tons. This vehicle received the Golden IDET News 2025 Award. It features a ladder-frame chassis combined with upgraded Tatra Rigid portal axles and is powered by a 206 kW engine. It offers over 500 kg more payload and improved handling compared to the previous Tatra 810 model.
“The modernized T 810 M shares more than 90% compatibility with the previous version, making it a very favourable option for current users, including the Czech Army, in terms of maintenance, spare parts, controls, and routine servicing,” explained Tatra Export Sales Director Vladimír Sokolovský.
The new four-axle Tatra Force 8x8, third-generation, made its debut with a Tatra T3D-930 RE V12 engine and a container-loading system. Visitors also saw a dynamic display of the Tatra Force 6x6 flatbed truck, also third-generation. A Tatra Phoenix 10x10 with an armored cab and Leguan bridge system was shown in the static display.
Excalibur Army presented its Patriot 4x4 wheeled armored vehicle with a weapon station, suitable for a wide range of applications thanks to its modular and universal architecture. Another exhibit was the Hector observation and patrol system, mounted on a Toyota Land Cruiser chassis, featuring a Guardian 1.5 remote-controlled station with electro-optical sensors for day and night use and a 12.7 mm M2 machine gun. Outdoors, Excalibur Army displayed the Treva-30 recovery and towing vehicle on a Tatra 8x8 chassis and the latest version of the RM-70 Vampire multiple rocket launcher, also on a Tatra 8x8. A dynamic demonstration featured the AM-70 EX bridge-laying vehicle designed for rapid obstacle crossing and mobility support.
CSG Aerospace division was represented by Retia, Eldis, and Pocket Virtuality. Retia introduced a mobile 3D X-band radar system for very short-range counter-UAS (C-UAS) operations, capable of detecting drones, aircraft, helicopters, and vehicles. Also featured was the latest portable ReTwis 5+ radar for tracking individuals behind non-metallic barriers.
Making its debut was the SAAV (Situational Awareness for Armored Vehicles) system using AI elements to provide crews with better battlefield orientation, automated threat analysis, and early warning capabilities. Retia also presented a new air force command and control system under development in collaboration with Israeli company TSG Advanced Systems.
Eldis focused on showcasing its latest radar technologies using models and digital presentations. The main exhibit was the RL-2000/MSSR-1 NG combined primary and secondary surveillance radar, designed as a software-defined system to maximize operational efficiency and minimize operator workload. Also displayed was the new PAR-NG precision approach radar for civilian and military airfields. The portfolio was rounded out by the RL-3000 long-range 3D radar, offering three-dimensional tracking of non-cooperative aerial targets with a software-defined architecture.
Pocket Virtuality introduced Lumnio, a system for military maintenance work using augmented reality. It includes a database of service procedures, manuals, and instructional materials (including 3D models, videos, and photos) displayed through smart glasses or standard mobile devices like tablets and smartphones.
MSM Group, which oversees ammunition and special equipment production, was also present. Under the ZVS brand, they showcased 30 mm ammunition, 155 mm artillery shells compatible with NATO standards, and various pyrotechnic components. Fábrica de Municiones de Granada from Spain presented 105 mm and 120 mm tank ammunition, 105 mm artillery rounds, and supplementary pyrotechnics. VOP Nováky displayed training 155 mm ammunition, 122 mm artillery shells, and 60 mm, 81 mm, and 120 mm mortar rounds. Vývoj Martin, another MSM Group company, presented two special military hardened containers. The Command Shelter, based on a standard ISO IC container, is a tactical shelter designed to protect both personnel and sensitive technologies, integrating advanced defensive elements for operational security, combat survivability, and electromagnetic shielding. The Technical High Mobility Shelter is an autonomous or remotely operated unit offering similar levels of shielding, camouflage, and mobility as the Command Shelter.
Excalibur International (EI) extended the CSG display with unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and loitering munitions. Visitors could view a full-scale model of the Chaser smart loitering munition, including its launcher and portable backpack. Also exhibited were Scorpio 500 and 1000 lightweight quadcopters (around 2 kg), the Xtender micro reconnaissance UAS, and the Hunter UAS, designed to eliminate enemy drones using a mechanical capture system. A model of the Korkut air defence system on a Tatra 6x6 chassis was also presented, developed in collaboration with Turkish company Aselsan. The CSG booth also featured a range of small-caliber ammunition for handheld firearms produced by several CSG group companies.
About CSG Group
The global industrial-technology group CSG is owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad. It supplies technologies to the entire world that help ensure a safer and more stable future. It focuses on the development and production of strategically important products, systems, and technologies in defense, aerospace, automotive, and other areas. With key manufacturing plants in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Italy, India, Great Britain, and the USA, CSG exports its products worldwide. The Group continuously invests in the development of its companies and at the same time expands in its core businesses. Among its key companies are the Czech car manufacturer Tatra Trucks, the Slovak producer of artillery ammunition MSM Group, the US manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition The Kinetic Group, and the Czech radar manufacturer Eldis. The group focuses on the development and manufacturing of strategically important products, systems, and technologies essential for the defense of fundamental civilizational values. CSG employs over 14,000 employees across its integrated and affiliated companies. CSG's revenues, including The Kinetic Group for the full year 2024, reached EUR 5.2 billion. The group's consolidated revenues amounted to EUR 4 billion.
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