PRAGUE/ANKARA – The Czech government plans to significantly increase defense funding next year. According to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO), the budget of the Ministry of Defense will be increased by an additional 36 billion crowns. This would mean that the Czech Republic would, for the first time, fulfill its long-term commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to which member states should spend at least two percent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defense.
The Prime Minister announced this before his departure for the NATO summit in Ankara. He emphasized that the security situation in Europe and the world requires appropriate investments in defense, modernization of the army, and strengthening the defense capabilities of the Czech Republic. According to the government, the increase in the budget will enable the continuation of large-scale modernization projects, increase the readiness of the Czech Armed Forces, and promote the development of the domestic defense industry.
This year, the Ministry of Defense is operating with a budget of 154.79 billion crowns, which represents approximately 1.8 percent of the Czech GDP. In addition to this amount, another 30 billion crowns are allocated to defense from other chapters of the state budget. Therefore, total defense spending has already increased significantly this year compared to previous years. If the proposed increase is approved by the Parliament, the Czech Republic will, for the first time, reach the two percent of GDP threshold for defense spending. This goal is part of the commitments of NATO member countries and has become one of the main topics of alliance policy in recent years, due to the deteriorating security situation in Europe.
The additional funds are intended primarily for the modernization of military equipment, the construction of infrastructure, the purchase of new weapons, the strengthening of air defense, cybersecurity, logistics, and the support of professional soldiers and active reserves. The investments will also include projects aimed at cooperation with allies within NATO and strengthening the ability of the Czech army to respond to new security challenges. The upcoming NATO summit in Ankara will be dedicated not only to issues of collective defense, but also to the further development of alliance capabilities, support for the defense industry, and the coordination of security policies of member states. The Czech delegation will present its priorities in the field of defense and the planned increase in defense spending.