Czech-US Defense and Security Forum

This event is by invitation only.

This forum will bring together American and Czech officials, defense experts, and industry leaders in Washington, DC. Organized in cooperation with the Embassy of the Czech Republic and in partnership with Jagello 2000, the event will explore United States–Czech defense and security cooperation. Discussions will focus on reindustrialization through Czech investments, defense procurement reform, supply chain resiliency, and the integration of innovative technologies.

Agenda

10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. | Registration
10:30 a.m.–10:45 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks

• Zbyněk Pavlačík, CEO and Cofounder, Jagello 2000
• John Walters, President and CEO, Hudson Institute 

10:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Session 1 | Dual Use Technologies—Roadmap to Allied Operational Advantage

Panel Discussion

• Olga Chábr Grillová, General Partner, Luminova Ventures 
• Tim Mak, Founder and Editor, The Counteroffensive
• Max Prasolov, CGO, Bavovna AI
• Juan Moreno, Director, IBM Research Europe (UK and Ireland)
• Moderator: Jan Jireš, Senior Adviser, International Institute for Strategic Studies 

12:15 p.m.–12:45 p.m. | Session 2 | Keynote Address

• HE Jaromír Zůna, PhD, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Czech Republic 
• Introduction: Joel Scanlon, Executive Vice President, Hudson Institute 

1:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. | Session 3 | Maintaining the Technological Edge

Fireside Chat

• Hon. James Mazol, Deputy Under Secretary of War (Research and Engineering), United States Department of War
• Peter Rough, Director, Center on Europe and Eurasia, Hudson Institute

1:30 p.m.–2:00 p.m. | Session 4 | Czech-US Cyber Defense Cooperation—A Partnership that Delivers

• FBI and Czech Military Intelligence Representative

2:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m. | Session 5 | Engines of Freedom: Expanding the Frontiers of US-Czech Commercial and Security Ties

• Hon. Nicholas Merrick, US Ambassador to the Czech Republic (TBC)
• Introduction: Amb. Tomáš Pojar, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute; Former National Security Adviser, Czech Republic

2:30 p.m.–3:45 p.m. | Session 6 | The Czech Model—Reindustrialization Through Partnership

Panel Discussion

• Robert Calvillo, Adviser, Vrgineers
• Will Edwards, CEO, Firehawk Aerospace
• Jason Gaines, CEO, MSM North America
• Matěj Benda, Director, Defence Industry Cooperation Department, Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade
• Moderator: Nadia Schadlow, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

3:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Closing Remarks

• HE Jakub Kulhánek, Czech Republic Ambassador to the US