After Czechoslovakia had gathered sufficient know-how, technological capacity and fulfilled its national needs in the late 1950s, it began to export its hydraulic know-how and technology. In doing so, it was able to draw on the experience prior to the 1948 communist takeover, which was transferred to the 1950s and 1960s through the experts who participated in these foreign engagements. The 1950s also saw the emergence of a strong influence of Soviet professional circles. In addition to the export of technology (turbines, hydroelectric equipment), project studies and participation in international tenders and contracts, motivated mainly by economic gain, Czechoslovakia also participated in development projects and was active in international organisations (UNDP, ICOLD, UNESCO, etc.).
This chapter aims to analyse the development of Cold War export of Czechoslovak hydroexpertise and technology, its specific forms, shapes, and motivations.