In the centre of Prague, around the railway bridge in Vyton — on both banks of the Vltava, on the river, and in the air — an extraordinary spectacle will take place on Tuesday, 20 May 2025, showcasing various parts of the Czech Army.
From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can experience aircraft and helicopter flyovers, watch paratroopers jumping into the Vltava, or look forward to special forces abseiling onto a pontoon. But there is much more to see!
“Visitors can see a Pandur armoured personnel carrier, an IVECO light armoured vehicle, a Cayman off-road vehicle, special vehicles of military chemists and special forces, and a model of an F-35 fighter jet up close. Meet pilots from the Czech Army who are already preparing to fly the fighter jet in the future,” says Daniela Hölzelová from the Communications Department of the Ministry of Defence.
The programme also includes demonstrations of close combat training, service dog training, a parade of military uniforms, and a demonstration of the training of active reserve units. Aviation enthusiasts can try out the L-159 combat simulator at Hořejší nábřeží, while fans of heavy equipment can see the DANA self-propelled howitzer and the TITUS armoured vehicle. The army’s ‘Number 5’ pyrotechnic robots will mingle with visitors, and military boats and pontoons will be out and about on the Vltava.
“The highlight this year will be the parachute jumps into the Vltava. First, six paratroopers and two rescuers will jump from the bank of Prague 5; a helicopter will circle back over the railway bridge, and the same number of soldiers will jump from the opposite bank. The rescuers will be picked up on board a W-3A Sokol, while the paratroopers will swim to shore,” explains Major Radim Bednář, a specialist from the Czech Air Force’s Airborne and Rescue Service.
During the next demonstration, specialists of the Airborne and Rescue Service of the 24th Air Base will jump from a height of 600 to 1,000 metres.
This year’s event on Prague’s Náplavka will also commemorate military history — there will be a model of a Spitfire fighter plane from the Second World War, historical equipment, and an exhibition entitled ‘Květnové vítězství’ (Victory in May).
There’s a lot on offer this year — make sure you stop by. There’s also a free ferry running regularly, so you can experience the entire event up close on both banks of the Vltava.
You can find the full programme here (CZ).
