Czechia to Gradually Increase Defence Spending to 3% of GDP

The Czech government has decided to gradually increase defence spending starting in 2026 to bring it to 3% of GDP by 2030, iDNES reports.  

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said that defence spending would increase by 0.2% starting next year. In 2026, they will amount to 2.2% of GDP, and by 2030 they will reach 3%.  

‘This is the necessary minimum,’ Fiala said.  

He also suggested that NATO countries could agree to an even more ambitious increase in defence spending.  

‘Anyone who says that Russia does not threaten us is not telling the truth,’ the prime minister said after the government meeting.  

Fiala stressed that the US allies are sending a clear signal to European countries that they need to take greater responsibility for their own security.  

In addition, Fiala noted that US President Donald Trump's decision to suspend aid to Ukraine demonstrates the urgent need for a significant change in European policy.

As The Gaze previously reported, the Czech Republic has become one of the leading suppliers of ammunition to Ukraine, along with the United States and the United Kingdom. This was reported by the Czech Ministry of Defence following a meeting of representatives of the country's defence industry.