VOP CZ CELEBRATES 80 YEARS. THE ANNIVERSARY WILL BE MARKED BY AN EXHIBITION AND A PUBLIC DAY IN JUNE

The military repair company (VOP CZ) is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. The company will mark this important milestone with a series of events for professionals and the general public, culminating in a public day called VOPEN DAY. Among other things, visitors will have the opportunity to see the CV90 infantry fighting vehicle, which the company is preparing to manufacture.

The main part of the celebrations will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, when VOP CZ will open its premises to the public. The program will include demonstrations of military technology, musical accompaniment, and accompanying activities for children.

“We want to show the public what goes on behind the gates of our company. We are preparing a varied program, and I can confirm that the public will be able to see the CV90 armored vehicle, which we will be manufacturing here, live,” said VOP CZ Director Vlastimil Navrátil.

The year-long celebrations will also include a panel exhibition entitled The History of Repair Work in the Czech Republic, which will be officially opened in the second half of March with the participation of representatives of the Czech Army and the Ministry of Defense. The exhibition will be located in front of the General Staff building in Prague. The Minister of Defense, Jaromír Zůna, has taken personal patronage of the entire celebrations.

The military repair company was established in 1946 on the premises of the former Šenov distillery, where a large amount of captured equipment remained after World War II. The company gradually became a key expert in the repair and modernization of tank technology, from British Cromwell tanks to Soviet T-34 and T-55 tanks to T-72 tanks, which the company has been repairing since 1983. In 2010, VOP CZ also manufactured 107 PANDUR II armored vehicles for the Czech Army. The company is currently preparing to manufacture CV90 combat vehicles for the Czech Army, welding armored cabins for the German company KNDS, and repairing Leopard 2A4 tanks in cooperation with Rheinmetall.

“We have come a long way in 80 years. From a post-war collection point for military equipment, VOP has become an important state-owned company that plays a key role in ensuring the defense capability of the Czech Republic. We want to commemorate this anniversary in a dignified manner and at the same time thank all former and current employees. These are people who put their hearts into their work,” adds VOP CZ Director Vlastimil Navrátil.