US Ambassador Nicholas Merrick visited STV GROUP in Polička
02/07/2026 – During his visit to the production plant, he learned about STV GROUP’s manufacturing processes and activities.
The ceremonial handover of Flyer 72 HD vehicles to the 43rd Airborne Regiment in Chrudim was followed on Thursday, 2 July 2026, by a visit by Nicholas Merrick, the United States Ambassador to the Czech Republic, to the STV GROUP production plant in Polička. The Ambassador was accompanied by representatives from the US Embassy in Prague and Robert Rice from Flyer Defence. Company representatives attended the visit on behalf of STV GROUP.
During the visit, we presented our production facilities, technological capabilities and long-term vision for the development of the Flyer 72 HD project in the Czech Republic. The programme included a tour of the production premises, a presentation of planned investments, and a discussion of the further development of Czech-American industrial cooperation in defence technologies.
The practical part of the programme consisted of a dynamic demonstration of the Flyer 72 HD vehicle at STV GROUP’s test range. From the driver’s seat, Ambassador Nicholas Merrick was able to personally test the vehicle’s handling characteristics in challenging terrain and familiarise himself with its capabilities in carrying out the tasks of airborne units.
At the same time, facilities are being established in Polička that, in cooperation with Flyer Defence, will provide maintenance support for the Czech Armed Forces' vehicles. The long-term aim of the project is the gradual localisation of the production of selected components and the development of domestic industrial capacities, thereby strengthening the self-sufficiency of the Czech defence industry and ensuring support for the vehicles throughout their entire life cycle.
The United States Ambassador's visit to our plant confirmed the importance of cooperation between the Czech and American defence industries. STV GROUP greatly appreciates the interest shown in the development of the Flyer 72 HD project, as well as the support this joint project is receiving on both sides of the Atlantic.
We would like to thank Ambassador Nicholas Merrick, representatives of the US Embassy in Prague, Flyer Defence, and all STV GROUP partners and employees involved in implementing this project.
MAKING A SAFER WORLD. TOGETHER!
Gallery
