We Have Been with You for 30 Years

1995

Founding of the Excalibur Army

Czech entrepreneur Jaroslav Strnad founded Excalibur Army, a company trading in military material and equipment, the nucleus of the CSG group.

2005

The first production area in Přelouč

Excalibur Army has acquired its first production site, a former military repair facility in the Czech town of Přelouč.

2008

Business expansion to Slovakia

The founder of the group expanded his business to Slovakia, where he took over the management of several defence industry companies.

2010

Business expansion into the railway industry

Jaroslav Strnad took over the Czech company DAKO-CZ and expanded his business into the railway industry.

2013

Purchase of Tatra together with Promet Group

Jaroslav Strnad together with entrepreneur René Matera acquired the well-known Tatra trucks company and it recovered from the previous crisis within a short time.

Purchase of military repairs in Šternberk

Excalibur Army won the competition for the sale of military repair facility in Šternberk, which quickly became the most important manufacturer of military and special land systems in the Czech Republic.

2014

Establishment of the Excalibur Group holding

The companies controlled by Jaroslav Strnad were incorporated into a holding structure, which initially bore the name Excalibur group.

2016

Renamed Czechoslovak Group (CSG)

The holding company was renamed Czechoslovak Group, abbreviated CSG, and has used this name ever since.

New companies in the group

New companies were acquired to CSG: radar manufacturer RETIA, aircraft repair shop JOB AIR Technic and luxury watch manufacturer ELTON.

New company Tatra Defence Vehicle

In addition to acquisitions of existing companies, a greenfield company was established: the military land systems manufacturer TATRA DEFENCE VEHICLE (abbreviated TDV).

2018

Transfer of ownership of the CSG to Michal Strnad

The founder of the group Jaroslav Strnad handed over the ownership to his son Michal and went to work for the newly established holding CE Industries.

New division CSG Aerospace

Within CSG, the CSG Aerospace division was established, incorporating radar manufacturers ELDIS and RETIA and air traffic control system developers CS Soft and ATRAK.

2020

Purchase of Fábrica de Municiones de Granada

CSG acquires the first manufacturing company in Western Europe, buying ammunition manufacturer Fábrica de Municiones de Granada (FMG for short) from GDELS.

2022

Acquisition of a majority stake in Fiocchi

CSG acquired a majority stake in Fiocchi, the world's leading ammunition manufacturer with operations in Italy, the UK and the US, becoming a global group.

2023

Perazzi becomes part of the group

Armi Perazzi is a prestigious brand in the field of firearms for sport shooters and elite hunters. At the same time, it is a stable and prosperous company excellently managed by the Perazzi family.

2024

First Time at SHOT Show

The CSG Ammo+ division made its historic debut at the Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas, USA, where products and solutions from the Fiocchi group, part of the division, were showcased.

New Headquarters

As of April 1, 2024, the Red Court building in Prague's Karlín district has become the new headquarters of CSG. The building hosted a meeting between the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and representatives of the Czech defense industry. During the meeting, Ms. von der Leyen was informed about the details of the Czech defense industry's assistance to Ukraine.

700 Years in Granada

The company Fábrica de Municiones de Granada (FMG), a bearer of the gunpowder production tradition in Granada, marked an incredible 700 years of continuous production of this product in the city.

Floods

The northeastern Czech Republic was hit by floods in September. CSG donated 12 Tatra vehicles worth almost 4 million EUR to the Czech Fire Rescue Service, which helped with recovery efforts and remained in their permanent use. Excalibur Army provided a temporary bridge over the Bělá River in Česká Ves, Jesenicko, using its AM 70 EX and AM 50 EX bridge systems.

The Kinetic Group

CSG has become the owner of the Kinetic group, which includes leading American manufacturers of small-caliber ammunition: Federal, Remington, CCI, Speer, and Hevi-Shot. With the successful completion of this acquisition, CSG has become the largest producer of small-caliber ammunition in the Western world.

2025

Establishment of the CSG Foundation

The CSG Foundation was established to thank and support those whose actions represent the values to which we as CSG stand for.

New generation of the Pandur 8×8 EVO

The IDET 2025 trade fair saw the world premiere of the new Pandur8×8 EVO, a wheeled armored infantry vehicle developed by Tatra Defence. The new Pandur has been significantly modernized compared to its predecessor.

General partner of the Czech Olympic Team

We signed a partnership agreement with the Czech Olympic Team. As of September, CSG becomes the general partner of the Czech Olympic Team for 2025–2029.

CSG celebrates 30 years since its founding

On October 10, we celebrated 30 years since CSG’s founding. Czech and Slovak pop music stars performed at the event, and six thousand Group employees enjoyed the celebrations right in the arena.

CSG enters the UAS segment

CSG expanded its activities into the field of advanced weapon systems and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The development, production, and trade of UAS technologies is handled by the newly established company AviaNera Technologies.

ZVS Holding concluded a framework agreement with the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic

ZVS Holding and the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic signed a framework agreement for the supply of large-caliber and medium-caliber ammunition worth up to EUR 58 billion over a period of seven years. The agreement is part of a project under which Slovakia is to become a strategic supplier of ammunition to EU member states.

ZVS Holding launched Europe’s most advanced large-calibre ammunition production line

ZVS Holding, a joint venture between the Slovak Republic and the CSG group, officially launched a new filling line for artillery ammunition in Dubnica nad Váhom in December. It is the most advanced facility of its kind in Europe and significantly contributes to CSG’s goal of increasing total large-calibre ammunition production capacity to more than one million rounds annually.

2026

New ASD Member

Following unanimous approval by the ASD Council, CSG became a new member of the AeroSpace and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).

Listing on Euronext Amsterdam

On January 23, CSG was listed on the stock exchange and its shares were admitted to trading on the regulated Euronext Amsterdam market. This placed CSG among publicly traded European industrial groups.

Munich Security Conference Partnership

The prestigious event - attended annually since 1963 by leading politicians, military representatives, business leaders, and non-governmental organisations - will, for the first time, be partnered by the industrial and technology group CSG.

Entry into the Hungarian Defence Industry

CSG is entering the Hungarian defence industry. It will participate in the supply of thousands of military vehicles. The investment plans also include the integration of HIMARS systems in Győr.

DOMAR MS

CSG is expanding its presence in Poland. It is acquiring DOMAR MS, one of the leading Polish manufacturers of cabling, cable harnesses, distribution cabinets, and a distributor of electrical connectors used in defence systems and other specialized products.

Hirtenberger Defence Systems

CSG is acquiring a 49% stake in Hirtenberger Defence Systems and expanding its capabilities in mortar systems and ammunition.

New Eldis Pardubice Facility

Eldis Pardubice, a member of the CSG group, officially opened a new production and administrative facility that will enable the testing of 3D radars. The investment of 100 million CZK will allow the company to increase production capacity and provide new space for manufacturing, shipping, logistics, development, administration, and training facilities.