Defence minister: Pay is not the main reason people join the army

Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna (Freedom and Direct Democracy) says the military is not facing a personnel crisis, arguing that most new recruits join to serve their country rather than for higher pay. In an interview with the Czech News Agency, he said surveys consistently show that the main motivations are helping defend the country, doing meaningful work and gaining valuable experience. The Czech Army currently has more than 30,000 professional soldiers and aims to increase that number to around 32,000. Recruitment has exceeded this year's target, with more than 2,500 people signing up in the first half of the year, producing the army's strongest net growth in years.