Defence Minister Zůna: security is not measured by GDP share

Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (SPD) says cutting defence spending will not jeopardise the army’s modernisation projects. Speaking at a commanders’ assembly on the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, he stressed that security cannot be reduced to a percentage of GDP. According to Zůna, the decisive period for defence financing will be between 2027 and 2031. The parliamentary defence committee has recommended approving this year’s defence budget of 154.79 billion crowns, 21 billion less than proposed by Petr Fiala’s (ODS) previous government. President Petr Pavel earlier described lowering defence spending in the current situation as irresponsible.