BRENDAN GALLAGHER
The Czech Pavilion in Hall 5 is designed to show that "aerospace is alive and well in the Czech Republic and that we have plenty to offer", says senior trade relations official Vlastimil Lorenz.
The pavilion brings together a number of the country's leading aerospace companies, including turboprop manufacturer Walter – now fully US-owned following a recent acquisition – and L159 light combat aircraft builder Aero Vodochody (also present in Hall 1, B14).
"We have been to Farnborough under the Czech banner for every show since 1994," said Lorenz. "And as usual we had no difficulty in persuading these companies to participate this year – for the Czech aerospace industry Farnborough is still the number one show."
Being here yields a number of major benefits, according to Lorenz. "It increases our visibility to current and potential trade partners, and helps us to emphasise the traditional Czech skills in precision engineering in general and aerospace in particular.
"We have a high level of aerospace R&D capacity – it's an activity that's very important to us – and we have a workforce that is both expert and professional. From the strategic point of view, being able to highlight these things helps to demonstrate to the world that we are a highly developed nation."
Czech hopes for new business are pinned mainly on two programmes: the L159 and the proposed purchase of BAE Systems/Saab Gripen combat aircraft by the Czech air force. "The intended Gripen offset programme runs to 41 different projects, of which at least 15 are in the aerospace sector. And if the L159 proves as popular as we expect, there are some 200 Czech supplier companies that stand to benefit."
Source: Flight Daily News