Defence spending to reach 2.07 percent of GDP in 2026

Total defence spending in this year’s state budget will amount to around 185 billion crowns, which represents approximately 2.07 percent of GDP, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD) said after Monday’s cabinet meeting.

According to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš the final figure could reach 2.11 percent of GDP. The original draft budget prepared by the previous government of Petr Fiala (ODS) envisaged defence spending of 2.35 percent of GDP, which at the time corresponded to roughly 206 billion crowns.

Last year, the Czech Republic spent 171.1 billion crowns on defence, equivalent to 2.02 percent of GDP.

Minister Zůna said all existing Defence Ministry projects will continue. According to the minister, the 21-billion-crown reduction in the defence budget will affect new projects that have not yet been announced. These projects are not being cancelled, but postponed until 2027, he added.