Czechoslovak Group

Czechoslovak Group

Company type	Private
Industry	Defense, Aerospace, Ammunition production, Automotive, Railway
Founded	1990s
Founder	Jaroslav Strnad
Headquarters	Prague , Czech Republic
Area served	Worldwide (notably Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Serbia, Spain, United Kingdom, United States)
Key people	Michal Strnad (owner and Chairman of the Board)
Products	Tanks, Infantry fighting vehicles, Artillery ammunition, Multiple rocket launchers, Self-propelled howitzers, Military trucks, Radars
Number of employees	14,000+

The Czechoslovak Group (CSG), previously known as Excalibur Group, is a Czech-based industrial and technological holding company comprising more than 100 subsidiaries and employing upwards of 14,000 people globally. With its headquarters situated in Prague, CSG's operations span multiple industries such as defense, aerospace, ammunition production, automotive, and railway sectors. Since January 2018, ownership has been held by Michal Strnad, the son of the original founder Jaroslav Strnad. In 2025, Michal Strnad expressed his ambition to elevate CSG to become the second-largest defense manufacturer in Europe.

The majority of CSG’s activities are concentrated within the Czech Republic and Slovakia; however, the company also maintains manufacturing facilities across Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Serbia, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Following the acquisition of The Kinetic Group in 2024, CSG emerged as one of the leading global producers of small arms ammunition.

In 2024, defense-related production accounted for 78% of CSG’s total revenue, with small arms ammunition contributing an additional 11.3%. The company’s products are exported to over 70 countries worldwide. Approximately half of CSG’s revenue originates from NATO member states, while sales in Ukraine represented 42% of total revenue in 2024—up from 23% in 2023 and 41% in 2022.

20th century

Jaroslav Strnad launched his entrepreneurial journey in the 1990s by operating a scrapyard. From the outset, he concentrated on trading military surplus gear, which was abundantly available following the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. In 1995, Jaroslav established the family-run enterprise Excalibur Army with a workforce of fewer than 20 individuals. Initially focused on scrap trading, the company soon diversified into the refurbishment of military surplus hardware. Over time, it expanded further by acquiring firms involved in rail, radar, and truck production.

21st century

By 2015, CSG had become a key provider of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to the Iraqi Government during its campaign against ISIS in the War in Iraq (2013–2017). The following year, Excalibur Group rebranded itself as Czechoslovak Group, with Michal Strnad assuming the role of Chairman of the Board.

When Michal Strnad, son of Jaroslav, took control in 2018, the company embarked on a phase of global growth. In 2022, CSG acquired a majority stake (70%) in Italian ammunition manufacturer Fiocchi Munizioni through a transaction valued at several hundred million euros. This acquisition followed over a year of negotiations with the Fiocchi family and an extended seven-month approval process by CFIUS, which experienced delays due to ongoing conflict.

In October 2023, CSG announced its intention to purchase The Kinetic Group, an ammunition division owned by US-based Vista Outdoor, in a deal worth $1.91 billion pending regulatory clearance. This acquisition faced opposition from US senators including JD Vance, John Kennedy, representative Clay Higgins, and the National Sheriffs' Association who raised concerns over ties to China and Russia. Despite this, Vista Outdoor shareholders approved the sale of Kinetic Group for $2.23 billion on 25 November 2024.

Supplies to Ukraine

The Czechoslovak Group (CSG) ranks among Europe's prominent providers of defense and related equipment to Ukraine. Prior to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, several Ukrainian weapons platforms were built on the Tatra 817 chassis, such as the 2S22 Bohdana howitzer, the Bureviy rocket artillery system, and the R-360 Neptune cruise missile. After the conflict began, shipments to Ukraine accounted for 41% of CSG's income in 2022 and decreased to 23% in 2023. Among CSG's key deliveries to Ukraine are: In 2024, CSG supplied Ukraine with one million artillery shells, sourced partly from its own manufacturing and partly through re-imports coordinated by the Czech government.

• Artillery ammunition in calibers of 155mm and 152mm produced in Slovakia and Spain
• Main battle tanks of the T-72 Avenger model
• Infantry fighting vehicles including BMP-1 and BMP-2
• Multiple rocket launchers such as the RM 70 Vampire and BM-21 MT STRIGA
• Self-propelled howitzers like the DANA M2 and DITA variants

Partnerships and Collaborations

CSG maintains close cooperation with General Dynamics European Land Systems, a Madrid-based producer of ground defense vehicles such as the Pandur II, as well as with Nexter Systems, a prominent French manufacturer specializing in military land equipment.

MSM Acquisition

In May 2020, the Slovak MSM Group completed the purchase of Fábrica de Municiones de Granada (FMG), a Spanish company focused on manufacturing large-caliber ammunition and missile components. Following the acquisition, FMG continued its operations and export-oriented production under the existing management structure. This strategic move allowed MSM Group to penetrate Western European ammunition markets, enhancing its global footprint and strengthening control over its supply chain.

Radar Delivery

The US Army procured POLR-1 radars, marketed as ReTwis 5, from the Czech firm Retia. This technology enables detection of living beings through walls and has been deployed by US special forces. Featuring high portability and utilizing UWB radio localization technology, ReTwis 5 has also been adopted by law enforcement agencies in Phoenix and San Antonio.

Training of Afghan Aviators

CSG has collaborated with Raytheon to provide training for Afghan helicopter pilots and stands as the sole private European entity operating Black Hawk helicopters. This specialized capability was demonstrated by CSG at the GLOBSEC 2019 Security Forum in Bratislava, underlining its commitment to supporting NATO and the European Union.

The forum, which gathered prominent international leaders, centered on addressing geopolitical issues and fostering defense partnerships. CSG’s involvement underscored its industrial emphasis on global defense cooperation and proficiency in cutting-edge military technology.

CAESAR Howitzer Procurement

The Czech Republic has bolstered its artillery strength by acquiring an additional ten CAESAR self-propelled howitzer units from the French manufacturer Nexter Systems, valued at EUR 77 million. This brings the cumulative order to 62 howitzers, with a total investment exceeding EUR 450 million. The initiative aims to modernize the artillery fleet by replacing the obsolete DANA howitzers and involves close cooperation with domestic defense firms such as Tatra Trucks for chassis integration and Retia for communication systems. Scheduled for delivery by 2026, these CAESAR howitzers are set to become the primary artillery system within the Czech armed forces.

RETIA's Partnership in Radar Systems

The MMR radars developed by Israel Aerospace Industries, recognized for their advanced air surveillance and defense capabilities, have successfully met the Czech Army’s military testing standards. This partnership includes Czech companies RETIA and VTU and encompasses technology transfer agreements to facilitate local manufacturing and maintenance of these radar systems. Integrated into NATO’s infrastructure, these radars replace outdated Russian equipment, significantly enhancing the Czech Republic’s defense capabilities. Approximately 30% of the project’s value is attributed to contributions from the Czech defense sector, illustrating substantial domestic expertise in radar technology development.

TATRA vehicles

As part of its fleet modernization efforts, the Belgian Army commissioned DAF to supply 879 military trucks, including both 4x4 and 8x8 configurations, scheduled for delivery from 2022 through 2025. Valued at EUR 259 million, this contract covers a range of truck types, with armored cabins included in 40% of the units. The partnership between DAF and Tatra Trucks ensures that these vehicles benefit from specialized chassis and engines designed to optimize off-road performance. Furthermore, this collaboration supports local maintenance and service capabilities, thereby strengthening Belgium’s defense readiness and infrastructure.

In 2023, Tatra Trucks, working alongside Rosenbauer, secured a contract to deliver 76 fire-fighting vehicles to the German Bundeswehr for forest fire suppression. These fire engines are built on the Tatra T815-7 chassis and incorporate advanced technology aimed at improving the Bundeswehr’s effectiveness in managing forest fires.

In 2022, Tatra Trucks provided the U.S. Army with its first Tatra Phoenix vehicle intended for deployment at training facilities in Germany. This all-wheel-drive tipper truck with three axles represents part of Tatra’s wider engagement supplying various military forces worldwide.

Nitrocellulose Manufacturing Facility in Saxony

In 2025, CSG expanded its portfolio by acquiring a nitrocellulose production facility along with the encompassing industrial park from the American corporation International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF), situated in Lower Saxony, Germany. This acquisition secured a steady supply of nitrocellulose essential for producing artillery ammunition at CSG’s manufacturing sites in Slovakia, Spain, and Greece.

Presto Tech Horizons Initiative

CSG introduced the Presto Tech Horizons investment fund in 2024, focusing on early-stage technology ventures originating from NATO member states and allied countries. The fund targets innovations with dual-use potential, applicable for both civilian and military purposes.

Prominent Holdings

Logo	Company	Headquarters	Core Activities	Ownership Stake	Remarks / Key Products
CSG Defense
	14. oktobar	Kruševac, Serbia	Manufacturing of tank and artillery ammunition Production of heavy machinery	100%	Founded in 1923.
	EXCALIBUR ARMY spol. s r.o.	Šternberk, Czech Republic	Refurbishment and production of heavy weaponry	90%	Products include T-72 Avenger tank variants, Morana 155mm self-propelled guns, RM 70 Vampire multiple rocket launchers.
	EXCALIBUR INTERNATIONAL a.s.	Prague, Czech Republic	Export operations for CSG enterprises
	Fábrica de Municiones de Granada	Granada, Spain	Production of tank and artillery ammunition		Established in 1324.
	Hellenic Ammunition S.A.	Lavrio, Greece	Production of tank and artillery ammunition TNT manufacturing	49%	Formed as a joint venture in 2025 with Hellenic Defence Systems to revive operations at a largely inactive TNT and ammunition plant.
	MSM North America	St. Petersburg, Florida	Tank and artillery ammunition manufacturing		Awarded a contract by the United States Department of Defense in 2025 to develop the Future Artillery Complex at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant. The automated facility is planned to produce 36,000 units of 155mm shells monthly by September 2029.
	MSM Walsrode	Bomlitz, Germany	Production of artillery-grade nitrocellulose		Operating since 1879.
	REAL TRADE PRAHA a.s.	Šternberk, Czech Republic	International arms trading services	91%	Provides licensing and logistics support for global arms trade.
	TATRA DEFENCE VEHICLE a.s.	Prague, Czech Republic	Design and manufacture of wheeled armored military vehicles	100%	Notable products include Patriot MRAP, TITUS MRAP, Pandur II APC, armored cabs for Tatra trucks.
	VOP Nováky, a. s.	Nováky, Slovakia	Manufacture of rockets, grenades, and related munitions
	ZVI a.s.	Vsetín, Czech Republic	Medium-caliber ammunition production		Produces 20 - 30mm rounds including the ZVI Falcon series.
	ZVS holding, a.s.	Dubnica nad Váhom, Slovakia	Production of tank and artillery ammunition		Founded in 1937.
CSG Ammo+
	Baschieri & Pellagri ammunition	Bologna, Italy	Manufacturer of small arms ammunition
File:CCI Ammunition logo.svg	CCI Ammunition	Lewiston, Idaho Manufacturer of small arms ammunition
Federal Premium Ammunition	Anoka, Minnesota	Small arms ammunition production
	Fiocchi Munizioni	Lecco, Italy	Small arms ammunition manufacturing	100%	Established in 1876 with additional factories operating in the United States.
	HEVI-Shot	Sweet Home, Oregon	Producer of small arms ammunition
	Lyalvale Express	Fisherwick, United Kingdom	Small arms ammunition manufacturer
	Remington Ammunition	Lonoke, Arkansas	Small arms ammunition producer		Founded in 1816.
	SPEER Ammunition	Lewiston, Idaho	Small arms ammunition manufacturing
CSG Aerospace
Atrak a.s.	Prague, Czech Republic	Development of advanced air traffic control systems	100%
Česká letecká servisní a.s.	Prague, Czech Republic	Avionics integration for aircraft modernization
CS SOFT a.s.	Prague, Czech Republic	Development of advanced air traffic control solutions	80%
ELDIS Pardubice, s.r.o.	Pardubice, Czech Republic	Radar technology design and manufacturing	100%
EUROPEAN AIR SERVICES s.r.o.	Prague, Czech Republic	Aircraft sales and modernization; pilot training programs	87.3%	Operates a fleet comprising 24 helicopters.
MUST Solutions	Belgrade, Serbia	Development and manufacture of UAV engines	51%	Acquired Mechatronics Unmanned Systems & Technology Solutions in 2025.
Pocket Virtuality	Prague, Czech Republic	Extended reality technologies for industrial and defense sectors
RETIA, a.s.	Pardubice, Czech Republic	Development of radars, air-defense systems, ISTAR solutions and command-and-control systems	100%
Slovak Training Academy s.r.o.	Dubnica nad Váhom, Slovakia	Pilot training services	100%
UpVision s.r.o.	Prague, Czech Republic	Developer of drone technology and counter-drone systems
CSG Mobility
File:AVIA Propeller Logo.svg Avia Motors s.r.o. Prague, Czech Republic Light truck production 100% Founded in 1919; currently inactive.
DAKO-CZ, a.s. Třemošnice, Czech Republic Manufacture of railway braking systems 51% Founded in 1816.
KARBOX, s. r. o. Přelouč, Czech Republic Design and production of containers 100%
File:LIAZ logo.svg LIberecké Automobilové Závody Jablonec nad Nisou, Czech Republic Medium truck manufacturing 100% Established in 1951; currently inactive.
File:Tatra (Automobil) logo.svg TATRA TRUCKS a.s. Kopřivnice, Czech Republic Heavy truck and chassis production 65% One of the world's oldest continuously operating motor vehicle manufacturers. Founded in 1850 with first car produced in 1897 and first truck in 1898. Key models include Tatra 810 medium off-road truck, Tatra 817 heavy off-road military truck, and Tatra 158 Phoenix civilian heavy off-road truck.
CSG Business Projects (Other)
File:Perrazi logo.png Perazzi Brescia, Italy Premium shotgun manufacturing 80% Established in 1957.
Prague Fertility Centre Prague, Czech Republic Fertility services provider 100%

The Czechoslovak Group maintains equity positions across approximately one hundred enterprises primarily based within the Czech Republic and Slovakia. This includes majority ownership of the automotive manufacturer Tatra Trucks headquartered in Kopřivnice. Beyond automotive production, CSG holds stakes in companies active within aviation, rail transport, defense sectors as well as other industries. Its current asset portfolio encompasses engineering products spanning automotive components, railway equipment, aerospace technologies, horology products as well as specialized vehicles including off-road trucks.

External links

• Official website