Defence minister seeks military spending increase to NATO target

Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (Freedom and Direct Democracy Party) is seeking to increase Czech defence spending to 2% of GDP next year, equivalent to CZK 190 billion. According to Czech Television, the proposal would raise the ministry's budget by CZK 35 billion compared with this year. The Defence Ministry is currently operating with CZK 154.8 billion, or just under 1.8% of GDP. NATO members have pledged to spend at least 2% of GDP on defence, while last year's alliance summit also endorsed a long-term goal of increasing overall defence and security spending to 5% of GDP within ten years.