Challenges to national defence in contemporary geopolitical situation

This paper examines how uncrewed platforms and contemporary sensor suites may extend engineer reconnaissance of water obstacles in support of river-crossing planning. The paper combines a structured review of Czech doctrinal practice and candidate sensor-platform combinations with a field experiment carried out on a selected section of the River Svratka, using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), UAV-borne ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) control points. The combined evaluation indicates that LiDAR is highly effective for bank geometry and approach assessment, whereas GPR can complement it by indicating the longitudinal bed profile and sediment interfaces, albeit with greater interpretative uncertainty.

The increasing weight and technological complexity of modern main battle tanks (MBTs), particularly the Leopard 2 series, impose substantial demands on military transport systems and supporting infrastructure. This study evaluates the logistical and infrastructural constraints associated with the transport of heavy armoured vehicles within the Czech Armed Forces (CAF) in the context of NATO military mobility requirements. The analysis focuses on both road and rail transport systems, with emphasis on technical compatibility, regulatory compliance, and operational feasibility. The methodological approach combines comparative analysis of vehicle and transport system parameters, empirical axle load measurements, and assessment of compliance with national legislation and NATO transport standards. The study further integrates infrastructure-oriented evaluation to capture systemic constraints affecting mobility performance. The results indicate that road transport operations frequently exceed permissible axle load limits defined by national legislation, while rail transport is constrained by insufficient wagon load capacity and limitations in vehicle securing systems. These constraints collectively reduce the operational flexibility of heavy armoured vehicle deployment. The findings demonstrate that current transport capabilities within the CAF are only partially sufficient for the deployment of Leopard 2 MBT without operational restrictions or reliance on external logistical support. These limitations negatively affect strategic mobility and rapid deployment capability, particularly within multinational operational frameworks. The study therefore highlights the need for continued modernisation of transport assets, adaptation of transport infrastructure, and closer alignment with NATO standardisation and European military mobility initiatives.

The article deals with measurements of air blast pressure waves using pencil probes. The pressure waves from explosive detonations were recorded using pencil probes in different setups, arrangements, and at multiple standoff distances. Another step is to get data from measurements to be used in other applications. Several blast parameters are presented as a baseline for further analysis (peak overpressure, rise time, positive-phase duration, impulse). The approach should support later comparison and uncertainty assessment with analytical data.

This study addresses the issue of last-mile logistics tasks, particularly in areas inaccessible to conventional military vehicles. As a solution, the use of a homogeneous system composed of Unmanned Ground Vehicles is proposed. Ten UGVs (seven wheeled and three tracked) were selected and subsequently evaluated based on their primary parameters in order to identify the most suitable solution for implementation within such a system. The assessment was conducted using two methods: direct comparison of the UGVs with respect to the values of individual parameters, combined with the assignment of ranking scores, and the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP).

This paper analyzes one-way attack UAV saturation and air defense adaptation using open-source attack data recorded by Shahed-136/131 UAVs in Ukraine. Descriptive statistics, correlation, regression, and non-parametric tests indicate rapid growth in UAV volume, partial saturation effects, and a clear distinction between kinetic destruction and broader neutralization. The study contributes a measurable counter-UAS assessment model that links attack volume, defensive performance, and small-state air defense planning.

The study aims to increase amplitude direction-finding sensitivity for radio monitoring. The methodology utilizes a TSA antenna and a phase-antiphase divider to form dual radiation patterns. Results confirm high accuracy and signal processing speed. The originality lies in combining a compact design with an innovative processing algorithm. Practical value is demonstrated by a small-scale UAV-integrated finder capable of intercepting ultra-weak signals for reconnaissance and EW. The paper establishes a universal approach to high-efficiency mobile defense systems with low power consumption.

The construction of water crossings constitutes one of the fundamental tasks of military engineering units. Under combat conditions, such operations are frequently required to be executed within timelines measured in hours. This tempo is enabled by ribbon pontoon bridge systems. Four main structural design concepts can be distinguished among these systems. This paper presents the results of an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis applied to the problem of selecting among this four design concepts, taking into account two distinct profiles of water obstacles.

Unmanned ground systems are increasingly appearing in contemporary operations; however, their practical utility varies depending on the task, operating environment and mode of control. Based on a targeted literature review, a comparison of findings from Syria, Gaza and Ukraine, and a structured expert consultation, this article assesses the main roles of UGV/UGS and their limitations. The findings indicate that UGV/UGS are currently most suitable for support, engineer, reconnaissance, logistics and evacuation tasks. Direct combat employment remains promising, but is constrained by C2, EW, mobility, endurance, operator workload and tactical integration.

Military low-level air maneuver in contested environments is constrained by adversary radar surveillance and the need to minimize exposure while remaining terrain- and mission-feasible. Although terrain masking reduces direct line-of-sight (LOS) to a radar, detectability cannot be assessed from geometry alone, as it also depends on the radar energy budget, receiver noise, processing gain, and the adopted detection criterion. This paper presents a reproducible GIS-oriented workflow that couples LOS-based masking products, including visibility and minimal visible altitude above ground level (AGL), with an energy-based detectability model expressed through signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and probability of detection (PD). The workflow further incorporates scenario-dependent atmospheric modifiers representing gaseous attenuation, rain attenuation, and refractivity-driven propagation effects, while retaining the possibility of higher-fidelity propagation modelling where required. In addition to 2D exposure layers, the approach supports constrained low-exposure route generation and optional 3D voxel-based representations of detectability in the near-ground layer. A case study in the Brno area demonstrates the generation of LOS and altitude-margin products, SNR/PD raster layers, and example low-exposure corridors derived from raster threat masks. The results show that radar exposure is highly sensitive to terrain, altitude, and environmental assumptions, and that the proposed workflow provides a transferable decision-support framework for comparative analysis of low-level operations in contested airspace.

This study aims to examine flight safety risks associated with low-altitude operations in mountainous terrain. The research applies a case study methodology based on a fatal paragliding accident in the High Tatras (10 September 2023), integrating accident investigation data, meteorological analysis, and a comparative assessment of Slovak and Polish legislation. The findings identify severe thermal turbulence as the primary causal factor and reveal regulatory discrepancies affecting risk exposure. The study highlights the need for improved preventive measures and proposes the introduction of a fixed minimum flight altitude as a practical solution. The originality of this work lies in combining environmental and regulatory analysis to enhance aviation safety.