Colonel Petr Hlavizna, as the University of Defence vice-rector for external relations and internationalisation attended the ceremony of passing the commanding position of the 53rd reconnaissance and electronic warfare regiment held in Opava on 22nd July 2025.
Land Forces Commander major general Josef Trojanek gave the unit colours to the hands of colonel Ivan Mahr who replaced in the position leaving commander colonel Petr Molinsky.
“The 53rd regiment clearly relies on people, expertise, and professionalism, and we usually have very experienced people who have experience from deployments in overseas operations or completed courses abroad,” said Colonel Mahr in an interview with Czech Television. He considers the position he has just taken on as the pinnacle of his professional career.
The primary mission of the General Heliodor Píka 53rd reconnaissance and electronic warfare regiment of is combat support executed in the areas of intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance, electromagnetic warfare, and geographic and hydrometeorological service. Effective work with information is currently one of the critical capabilities of every armed forces and is essential for the effective conduct of military operations. However, it would be impossible without the use of the entire spectrum of sophisticated technologies, modern military equipment, and the wide range of information and communication systems, as well as soldiers, in whose professional and career training the University of Defence also participates.
Visitors to Tuesday’s ceremony in Opava’s square could also see on display several examples of cutting-edge technology used by the 53rd regiment, such as the STARKOM jammer, the TITUS communications vehicle, modern drones, and weapons and equipment used by the reconnaissance units.
Author: Viktor Sliva, photo: facebook.com/53pPzEB/
