In the Czech Republic, defense spending reached 2% of GDP

8 January, 2025 Leopard 2A4 tank of the Czech military. April 2023. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic

The Czech government has started spending 2% of its GDP on defense, in line with NATO's minimum target. The Defense Ministry said that this is how the country fulfills its commitment. It is noted that out of thirty-two NATO member states, at least 24 are meeting the 2% spending target, compared to six countries in 2021.

The Ministry of Defense has allocated CZK 166.8 billion (about EUR 6.6 billion) for defense spending in 2024, equivalent to 2.09% of the country's GDP. Czech Defense Minister Jana Cernocova noted that for the first time in 20 years, the country will fulfill its commitment to spend at least 2% of GDP on defense. "At the same time, in the new law on defense financing of the Czech Republic, we have fixed defense spending in 2023 at a minimum level of 2% of GDP.

We are giving defense what it should have had long ago," she said. The Defense Minister also insists that the defense budget should be increased in the future, as 2% of GDP should be seen as a "floor, not a ceiling." However, the Czech opposition disagrees.

Former Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar does not consider the ministry's spending transparent, especially in December 2024. A final review of NATO spending is expected in the second quarter of this year when the alliance will evaluate both the methodology and official GDP figures.

Czech Republic military. Photo: Czech Ministry of Defense

However, Czech Finance Minister Zbynek Stanjura reaffirmed his confidence in the country's ability to meet NATO's criteria.

At the same time, it was recently reported that the Czech Republic may postpone the contract for the latest Leopard 2A8 tanks due to competition with other strategic defense projects.