PYROS
24.-27.5. 2023

The IDET - PYROS - ISET trade fair trio with its commercial, political and international significance is the second most prestigious event of the year right after the International Engineering Fair. The opening of the fair was attended by President Milos Zeman, Minister of Defence Martin Stropnický, Chiefs of the General Staff of the Czech and Slovak Republics, representatives of the Presidium of the Police of the Czech Republic and the General Directorate of the Fire Brigade, foreign defence ministries and embassies. A total of 15 foreign delegations from Brazil, Egypt, Philippines, France, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Norway, Sweden, Rwanda and our neighbouring countries took part in the fair at the joint invitation of the Czech Ministry of Defence and the Brno Trade Fairs.

390 exhibiting companies from 30 countries took part in the IDET exhibition, 40 % of them from abroad. For three days, almost 26 000 visitors passed through the exhibition centre gates. On Saturday a Security Day took place at the exhibition grounds, focusing on the presentation of the integrated rescue system for the public. Expositions of the IDET trade fair will be closed with the exception of the army equipment exhibition.

This year’s IDET partner country Turkey showed a very impressive exhibition of leading Turkish companies, including Aselsan or Rocketsan, that belong among the largest companies in the world. A large Turkish delegation was led by Deputy Defence Minister Mr. Suay Alpay. In his words, Turkey's participation opened a new phase of relations between the defence industries of both countries; he also praised the quality of the event, the professionalism of BVV and the Brno Exhibition Centre.

"Long live the honest armourers," wrote president Zeman in the BVV memorial book. "The armament industry is an industry like any other, and arms exporters need to be promoted like any others," the president said in his opening speech.

"We all know, except maybe a few activists, that securing law and order, i.e. security is the main task of the state. Unfortunately, an ideal world of goodness does not exist. That is why there must be the army, security forces and security fairs. I believe that the IDET / PYROS / ISET fairs will contribute to strengthening our safety," said the BVV CEO Jiří Kuliš in the introductory speech. He responded to the opinion of some activists and city representatives that the Brno Trade Fairs as a city company should cease providing space for arms trade and stop organizing the IDET trade fair. He also thanked the Ministry of Defence and the Czech Army for their cooperation.

"The Army and the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic strongly cooperate in organising IDET; I take that for granted ... IDET has several dimensions. It is extremely important for our citizens to know that they have an army, what it does, how it is armed – to know what their taxes are for. In today's rather complex security situation, this is all the more important," said Martin Stropnický, Minister of Defence, to the importance of the fair.

This year's security fairs have been a pleasant surprise, judging by the exhibitors' reactions. They will enter the history of the event as one of the best. Acknowledgments belong to all employees who participated in their preparation and implementation.

Quotes about the trade fairs

Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic
I welcomed the invitation to IDET, because I think the arms industry is an industry like any other, and arms exporters have to be supported like any others.

Martin Stropnický, Minister of Defence of the Czech Republic
The Army and the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic strongly cooperate in organising IDET, I take that for granted and I would like above all, to have any citizens as possible visit the fair. IDET has several dimensions. It is extremely important for our citizens to know that they have an army, what it does, how it is armed – to know what their taxes are for. In today's rather complex security situation, this is all the more important.

Jiří Kuliš, CEO, Brno Trade Fairs
An ideal world of goodness does not exist. That is why there must be the army, security forces and security fairs. I believe that the IDET / PYROS / ISET fairs will contribute to strengthening our safety.

Exhibitors' comments

Petr Hakl, Industrial Cooperation and Organization Management Section, Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic:
We are delighted to see Turkey as the main partner of the fair, with whom we have discussed quite a lot about the issue of cooperation between various entities of the defence industry. A Memorandum of Understanding between Ministries of the two states is being prepared. Turkish companies have brought and presented technologies that are not produced in the Czech Republic, such as an identification system for domestic and foreign aircraft, missile technology, avionics, and possibilities for armoured vehicles, weapon systems, ammunition, and precise ammunition. There is certainly room for new contacts.

Martina Jelenová, office manager, BAE Systems:
This year's IDET is far better than two years ago; there was much greater involvement from both political representation and the army, and from the public. We extended our exhibition space and brought interesting exhibits, which attracted the interest of visitors. We assessed the trade fair very positively and we are satisfied with the business.

Lukáš Novotný, marketing manager, CZECHOSLOVAK GROUP:
We are pleased to have the opportunity to present our products to both professional and the general public. IDET was bigger than last time; there were lots of lay visitors here, but that does not matter to us because our products serve people across sectors. We received the Golden IDET for the BM-21 vehicle, which is an upgraded rocket launcher on a Tatra chassis. Overall, about two thousand guests visited our stand. For three days we have held permanent meetings in all corners of our stand, which was the largest at the trade fair; we occupied over 500 m² of indoor space and another 400 m2 of the outdoor area. We have signed several co-operation agreements, several memorandums, and met with both existing and new business partners.