From July 21 to 25, the University of Defence hosted an International Acquisition Management Course, organized in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Prague and the Ministry of Defence. The course was provided by the Center for Security and Military-Strategic Studies under the auspices of the University of Defence.

The course was attended by 23 civilian and military employees of the Ministry of Defence. Lectures and practical exercises were conducted by four American instructors from the Institute for Security Governance in Washington. The Czech side was represented by Associate Professor Josef Procházka, director of the Center, who ensured the professional training. On Friday, at the conclusion of the course, participants received graduation certificates handed over by Ing. Jaroslav Belák, Head of the Concepts and Analysis Department from the Acquisition and Armament Section of the Ministry of Defence. Among other guests attending the course were staff members of the U.S. Embassy in Prague, including LTC Oksana Grisko, Head of the Office of Defense Cooperation at the embassy.

The five-day course focused on defense acquisitions, with emphasis on planning and negotiating complex issues related to international defense contracts. Participants gained knowledge of key aspects of defense acquisition management, focusing on strategies, techniques, and characteristics of effective negotiators. Negotiation exercises gave participants the opportunity to actively engage with the course topics and apply concepts and methods discussed throughout the week to real-world scenarios. To further support the topics discussed, basic literature was also made available as a resource for participants.

Author: Yvona Novotná
Photo: Viktor Sliva