LOM PRAHA, the Czech Republic’s key provider of military aviation training and maintenance services, is stepping into the spotlight this September as it hosts the Future Air Force Industry Day. Taking place within the Future Air Force Conference 2025, which is co-organized by the Future Forces Forum, the event will bring international attention to the capabilities, innovation, and partnerships that define LOM PRAHA today. At the helm is Mgr. Jiří Protiva, a leader with deep experience in public service, defense procurement, and strategic transformation. In this exclusive ACE interview, Mr. Protiva shares how LOM PRAHA is preparing for the future of airpower and why this event will be more than just a showcase.
Mr. Protiva, LOM PRAHA will host the Future Air Force Industry Day this September. What does this opportunity mean for the company?
It’s a unique chance to show the transformation LOM PRAHA has undergone and what we are capable of today. We want to demonstrate not just individual services or technologies, but the complete ecosystem we offer, from pilot training to helicopter overhaul. We also see it as an opportunity to connect with international partners and show that the Czech Republic has a strong and competent player in this field.
How does LOM PRAHA contribute to the current and future capabilities of the Czech Air Force?
We provide critical support services, including pilot training, simulator instruction, and the complete lifecycle support of Mi- helicopters. But we’re also evolving. We’re preparing for the transition to new platforms and technologies. For example, we’re investing in modern simulation and exploring how we can support NATO-standard systems, not just legacy equipment.
You’ve been Director of LOM PRAHA since 2015, leading it out of crisis. What was key to turning the company around?
Restoring trust, internally and externally. LOM PRAHA needed a clear vision, financial stabilization, and a team that believes in what they do. We reorganized, invested in our people, and focused on delivering quality. Now we’re in a position to grow, not just survive.
The Future Air Force Conference focuses on pilot training and innovation. What message will LOM PRAHA send to attendees from Europe and beyond?
That we are a modern, agile, and reliable partner. Our strength lies in combining decades of experience with new thinking. We’ve trained hundreds of military pilots, and we’re ready to expand that capability further, with advanced simulation, international cooperation, and adaptability to different aircraft types.
What does international cooperation mean to you in the context of defense training and maintenance?
No country can operate in a vacuum anymore. We must learn from each other, align standards, and ensure interoperability. For LOM PRAHA, cooperation means not just offering services, but being part of multinational training networks, joint development projects, and sharing best practices.
What innovations or developments are you most proud of at LOM PRAHA?
One major success is how we’ve modernized our flight school and training center. We’ve also significantly upgraded our aircraft maintenance facilities. And, importantly, we’ve strengthened our security, compliance, and overall governance, things that matter a lot in the defense sector but are often invisible from the outside.
How would you describe your vision for LOM PRAHA in the next 5 years?
We aim to become a regional center of excellence for military pilot training and helicopter MRO. That includes transitioning to NATO-compatible platforms, deeper involvement in multinational training programs, and further investment into simulators and digital training tools. Stability, credibility, and growth, those are our goals.
And finally, what can visitors expect when they come to the Future Air Force Industry Day at LOM PRAHA?
A genuine look behind the scenes. They’ll see our facilities, meet our experts, and get a hands-on sense of what we do. It won’t be a marketing show, it will be an authentic demonstration of capabilities, professionalism, and readiness for future cooperation.
As Europe confronts new security challenges and modernizes its defense infrastructure, companies like LOM PRAHA are proving that transformation is not just possible, it’s already underway. Under Jiří Protiva’s leadership, the company has rebuilt its foundation and is now reaching beyond national borders. With the upcoming Future Air Force Industry Day, LOM PRAHA invites the international defense community to see not only what has been achieved, but what comes next.
Interview by: Katerina Urbanova
Photo credit: LOM Praha
Interview by: Katerina Urbanova
Photo credit: LOM Praha
