NATO Days in Ostrava attract 150,000 visitors

The 26th NATO Days in Ostrava and the 17th Czech Air Force Days concluded at the Leoš Janáček Airport, attracting approximately 150,000 visitors over the weekend. The event featured dynamic aerial displays and static exhibitions from security and military forces representing 14 nations.

Key highlights included performances by the British Red Arrows and the appearance of the American B-1B Lancer. The Czech Air Force showcased its modernization efforts, notably the first public presentation of the Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. Additionally, the Czech Republic officially took delivery of four Spyder anti-aircraft missile system batteries from Israel, a move Prime Minister Andrej Babiš described as a vital step in modernizing national air defense to meet contemporary threats.

While the first day saw significant traffic congestion and two-hour delays for visitors, the second day experienced smoother transit. The event served as a major platform for demonstrating both domestic and international defense capabilities, including tactical demonstrations by police and customs units from the Czech Republic, Poland, and Slovakia.