Czech defense spending has surpassed 2% of GDP.

The head of the defense ministry, Jana Černochová, emphasized that the Czech government has fulfilled its promise to raise defense spending to 2% of GDP a year ahead of schedule. She noted that this is merely a "minimum threshold, not a ceiling," and that defense spending needs to be further increased in light of the war in Ukraine and overall global instability.

The requirement to spend at least 2% on defense was enshrined in the defense financing law adopted in the Czech Republic in 2023.

According to the Czech Ministry of Defense, over 166 billion crowns, or approximately 6.8 billion dollars, was allocated to defense for the year 2024. This is about 2.09% of the projected GDP of the Czech Republic for 2024. Back in 2014, the Czech Republic spent less than 1% on defense.

In recent years, particularly following the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, most NATO countries have increased their military expenditures, and now in 25 out of 32 countries, spending exceeds the 2% GDP benchmark. This figure is considered desirable in the decisions of the North Atlantic Alliance (though achieving it is not legally mandatory), and during his first term as U.S. president, Donald Trump sought to achieve this from allies. Trump is now advocating for an increase in funding to 3%.

The Czech Armed Forces number around 30,000 personnel, and Czech military personnel actively participate in various NATO programs and missions. The country also has a developed military industry and has sent significant amounts of military aid to Ukraine, including dozens of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, howitzers, and multiple rocket launchers, as well as artillery shells and small arms. The President of the Czech Republic is former high-ranking military official Petr Pavel.