Interview with Jan Mikulecký, CEO of RETIA
During our visit to RETIA in Pardubice, we met Jan Mikulecký, a composed and thoughtful leader with a clear vision for the company’s future. From the outset, it was evident he communicates openly and purposefully—avoiding posturing in favour of transparency. His views on stability, accountability, and RETIA’s role in a changing Europe reflect both experience and intent.
What were your top priorities upon becoming CEO of RETIA, and how have you shaped its direction since?
My initial focus was stabilisation and consolidation. While RETIA performed financially healthy, with growth in both revenue and profitability, deeper operational issues required urgent attention—particularly in project execution and coordination. Working closely with the CSG Group, we adopted a management approach to succeed in transition from a research & development entity to an industrial defence company.
Equally vital was internal cohesion. The organisational structure had been fragmented, with departments like development, procurement, logistics, and finance lacking alignment. We introduced a unified company culture grounded in transparency and accountability. One tool that proved transformative was the implementation of quarterly Town Hall meetings, where we discuss financials, projects, and personnel updates with the entire team. These forums strengthened trust and improved cross-functional collaboration.
Structurally, we’ve embedded internal standards based on openness and responsibility. Technologically, we’ve aligned our roadmap with NATO’s evolving needs, focusing on intelligent systems, network integration, and real-time data capabilities. Our goal is to be seen not only as a stable industrial company but also as a confident, competent, and forward-thinking partner in the international defence ecosystem—one with a clear product roadmap and a strong internal culture.
How is RETIA responding to geopolitical challenges and defence trends, and what distinguishes your technological strategy?
Today’s defence environment is shaped by overlapping crises—from energy and material shortages to increasing geopolitical tensions. RETIA sees this not only as a challenge but as a chance to innovate and to provide its partners with right time tailored solutions.
Conflicts increasingly begin in cyber and electronic domains—a shift often described as “electronic warfare first.” Drones, sensors, tactical data, intelligence of various sources, and the ability to manage space overloaded with a high variety of such threats is of the essence in the world of nowadays. RETIA has long-lasting experience in this field, building layered capabilities that combine physical systems (radars, C4I2, communication hubs) with real-world integration and predictive technologies.
Our systems don’t just detect threats—they interpret, anticipate, and even deceive. In a data-saturated world, knowing what an adversary is using, why, and how to manipulate that perception can determine the outcome. Our roadmap reflects this, focusing on intelligent, networked technologies that serve as nodes in larger operational ecosystems. This philosophy drives our contributions to NATO partners operations and our continuous expansion in allied structures.
What role does modernisation play in today’s defence strategies, and how does RETIA deliver value in this area?
Modernisation offers a practical and economical way to quickly regenerate capability and to adapt to fast changing requirements —especially when facing production bottlenecks and supply chain delays. RETIA brings extensive experience here, having upgraded legacy platforms like the P-18 radar and the 2K12 KUB system by installing modern electronics, boosting performance, and ensuring full compatibility with today’s digital command environments.
These upgrades often extend service life by a decade or more. Notably, our expertise is trusted even by technologically advanced countries, including the U.S., which uses RETIA components for integration into its own solutions. As mentioned earlier, this highlights a broader NATO strategy: mixing new systems with modernised assets for speed and flexibility.
We understand this dual-approach well. RETIA delivers modular, interoperable solutions—whether through smart upgrades or newly engineered platforms. Our capability to adapt and integrate is what makes us competitive in a rapidly evolving defence landscape.
Which technologies are driving RETIA’s innovation, particularly in radar development?
We are advancing a family of radar systems—ReVisor, ReGuard, and ReTwis 5+—that reflect modern threat environments and NATO’s evolving requirements. These systems are designed with:
- AESA-based performance and low operating costs
- Modularity and mobility for flexible deployment
- Full network compatibility with instant data-sharing
- Advanced EW capabilities to mislead and disrupt adversaries
ReTwis 5+ stands out for its ability to detect live targets behind walls or in cluttered terrain without active transmission. ReVisor, compact and mobile, is built for SHORAD operations. ReGuard extends into national security use cases and is deployed by both defence and civil protection agencies.
None of these systems are standalone. Each operates as part of a larger intelligence and defence network—supporting detection, prediction, and misdirection. This systemic thinking is what sets RETIA apart.
How do RETIA’s command and control (C4I2) systems meet modern battlefield demands?
Our C4I2 platforms, including RACCOS and VSHORAD solutions, form the command and control core of air defence. They support:
- Real-time data transfer and threat coordination
- NATO-standard planning and battlefield operations
- Seamless integration of sensors and effectors for live situational awareness
These systems are scalable and fully interoperable, designed for integration into both national and NATO defence structures. Through various projects, we deliver agile and mobile C2 architectures that transform discrete elements into one unified battlefield picture.
What is RETIA’s approach to system integration and customer-centric defence solutions?
We aren’t just products’ supplier—we are a partner bringing solutions and building end-to-end systems. Consequently, RETIA integrates its radars, C4I2 platforms, and other technologies with third-party solutions into functional, mission-ready architectures.
This approach enhances operational efficiency, simplifies logistics, and ensures flexibility. For instance, MADR and Mobile Ground Station combine radars, communication hubs, and data platforms into mobile, rapidly deployable assets. We offer customers a complete architecture—from sensors to analytics—through a single, trusted partner.
Beyond the battlefield: What other sectors benefit from RETIA technologies?
As introduced earlier, our ReTwis 5+ and ReGuard systems are not limited to defence. They are also used in rescue operations, critical infrastructure monitoring, and civilian security. ReTwis operates passively, detecting live targets even through walls, making it invaluable in collapsed buildings or urban environments. ReGuard monitors perimeters, identifying individuals, vehicles, or drones in real time.
We also serve air traffic control and emergency response sectors through ReDat Recording, a RETIA subsidiary specialising in voice, data, and video capture with advanced analytics. These tools enhance operational safety, compliance, and post-event analysis.
What are your ambitions for international growth and cooperation?
Global expansion is a strategic priority. We aim to export not only products, but entire and multilayered defence capabilities—from concept phase via design and development to production and service of integrated logistics and life cycle support.
As mentioned earlier, our strength lies in bridging technological cultures—successfully integrating former Eastern Bloc systems into Western defence architectures, and emerging brand new solutions compatible and tailored to clients’ requirements. This unique positioning has made RETIA a trusted partner in NATO structures.
We approach each market with cultural and legal sensitivity. Our goal isn’t just to deliver and sell—it’s to become an active contributor to national defence ecosystems, through long-term lasting partnerships and NATO-aligned initiatives.
How is RETIA addressing cybersecurity and electronic warfare threats?
Today’s conflicts play out in both physical and digital domains. Electronic warfare and cybersecurity are no longer support functions—they are front-line disciplines.
Building on our electronic warfare-first strategy outlined earlier, RETIA develops systems that detect, classify, and respond to threats in real time. This includes disinformation tactics and AI-supported decision-making. Whether deceiving reconnaissance drones or predicting adversary actions based on sensor input, our technologies adapt to the speed and complexity of modern warfare.
Rather than just disrupting enemy signals, we create intelligent systems that plan, react, and mislead with intent. These modular, autonomous-capable platforms are designed for continuous operation in contested environments.
Where do you see RETIA heading in the coming years?
Our future lies in mastering strategic technologies and owning critical components. In radar development, for example, we produce proprietary modules in-house to safeguard IP and maintain independence.
Our technology roadmap outlines what to keep internal and what can be part of transfer of technology or of an external manufacturing source. This hybrid model supports both agility and control—allowing RETIA to remain competitive on the global stage.
Ultimately, our goal is not just to keep pace with global defence innovation, but to be a contributor and valuable member of its leading parties—by delivering intelligent, sovereign solutions for the world’s most demanding security needs.
Interviewed: Katerina Urbanova
Photo Credit: Retia
