09/03/2026
The Military Repair Enterprise (VOP CZ) is marking the 80th anniversary of its founding this year. The company will celebrate this significant milestone with a series of events for both industry professionals and the general public, culminating in a public open house called VOPEN DAY. On this occasion, visitors will, among other things, get 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 feature, among other things, demonstrations of military equipment, musical performances, and accompanying activities for children.
“We want to show the public what goes on behind the gates of our facility. We are preparing a varied program, and I can confirm that the public will see the CV90 armored vehicle here in person, which we will be manufacturing right here,” said VOP CZ Director Vlastimil Navrátil.
The year-long celebrations will also include a panel exhibition titled “The History of Military Repair in the Czech Republic,” which will be officially opened in the second half of March with the participation of representatives from the Czech Army and the Ministry of Defense. The exhibition will be located in front of the General Staff building in Prague. Defense Minister Jaromír Zůna has assumed personal patronage of the entire celebration.
The military repair facility was established in 1946 on the site of the former Šenov distillery, where a large amount of captured equipment remained after World War II. The company gradually became a leading expert in the repair and modernization of tank technology, ranging from British Cromwell tanks to Soviet T-34 and T-55 models, and including 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. Currently, the company is preparing to manufacture CV90 combat vehicles for the Czech Army, welding armored cabins for the German company KNDS, and, in cooperation with Rheinmetall, providing repairs for Leopard 2A4 tanks.
“We have come a long way in 80 years. From a post-war assembly point for military equipment, VOP has become a major state-owned enterprise that plays a crucial role in ensuring the Czech Republic’s defense capabilities. We want to commemorate this anniversary with dignity 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