Czech government approves deployments until 2023
The Czech government on 4 May approved a proposal to deploy troops overseas until 2023, as the existing mandate expires in December this year.
Proposals were brought before the government by the Czech MoD and the foreign ministry, taking into consideration the potential impacts of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Lubomír Metnar, Minister of Defence, said: ‘In the next two years, we want to operate in the same countries as before, but there will be a partial reduction in total numbers… The proposed deployment will not reduce or limit the ability of the Czech Army to contribute to the resolution of possible crisis situations.’
For 2021-22, the proposed maximum mandate for deployment in Afghanistan as part of Operation Resolute will be 205 personnel (compared to 390 currently). In Iraq, numbers will be reduced to 80 (down from 110) to support with the multinational coalition against Daesh.
Czech involvement will also continue with missions in Mali, Sinai and the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission.
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