Pavel: Army capacity expansion to focus on voluntary models, not conscription

President Petr Pavel ruled out reinstating compulsory military service, stating that increasing army capacity should rely on voluntary models. Prime Minister Petr Fiala also rejected the idea, emphasizing the modernization of the professional military. Pavel cited Scandinavian hybrid systems, where conscription exists but is primarily filled by volunteers. Chief of General Staff Karel Řehka warned that even after the Ukraine war, Russia will remain unpredictable, necessitating further army expansion. The Czech military aims to grow to 30,000 professional soldiers and 10,000 reserves by 2030, with possible further increases.