Leader of the European defense mobility industry, ARQUUS has taken part in the celebration of the centenary of Czechoslovakia, on Sunday, October 28th, 1918, which is also the day the National Czech Armed Forces were created.

On this occasion, the Czech Republic and its President, Mr. Milos ZEMAN welcomed, among other VIPs, President Emmanuel MACRON, and Chancellor Angela MERKEL, as well as American Minister of Defense, General James MATTIS.

President Emmanuel LEVACHER also joined the celebrations in Prague, to commemorate an event as important for the Czech Nation as its relationship with France.

The Czech Republic’s independence was indeed proclaimed in Darney, in the French region of the Vosges, before its official recognition at the Treaty of Saint-Germain en Laye in 1919. The first Minister of War of the new Republic, General STEFANIK, was also a French citizen and officer during the First World War.

Heir to this tradition of friendship, President LEVACHER is a founding member of the French-Czech Chamber of Commerce, which he has also presided.

The ceremony culminated with the military parade, during which ARQUUS’ President met Ales OPATA, Chief of Staff, Major General Josef KOPECKY, Land Forces Commander, and Major General Jaromir ZUNA, Support Division Director.

The Czech Army wanted to present the Tank of Victory, the FT-17, which equipped the Czechoslovak army after 1918. Key weapon of the French Army at the end of the War, the FT-17 is a revolutionary vehicle, which founded the identity of what is now ARQUUS. ARQUUS contributed to the vehicle’s exhibition in Prague, and to its transport from the Tank Museum in Saumur to Prague.

During the parade was also demonstrated the T810 truck, which benefits from a driveline and cabin by ARQUUS.

ARQUUS’ presence on October 28th illustrates the company’s European strategy. European leader of protected mobility, ARQUUS develops close relationships with Czech major industrial companies, as VOP CZ.

Business Area of the Volvo AB Group, ARQUUS is one of the three members of the short-term consortium to which the French Ministry of Defense awarded the Scorpion contract. The Group will be participating in the development of the new generation of wheeled armored personnel carriers for the French Army: the VBMR (multi-role armored vehicle) and the EBRC (armored reconnaissance and combat vehicle).

ARQUUS also supplies the powertrains and close defense remote control systems operated by these two vehicles. The company will also provide full logistics for spare parts and Scorpion subsystems.