Czech Defence Minister Zůna seeks 2% of GDP for defence budget

Czech Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna has asked the government to raise next year’s defence budget to 190 billion CZK, an increase of about 35 billion CZK, so that spending reaches the NATO‑aligned target of 2 % of gross domestic product. The request follows a previous demand for an additional 60 billion CZK for the 2027 budget, which was rebuked by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš.

Current defence spending is 1.78 % of GDP, while the government’s official figure was 2.01 %. Zůna argues that the higher allocation would improve the Czech Republic’s credibility with its allies. The political response from Babiš remains uncertain, and the proposal could become a point of tension within the coalition government.