Czech Republic Cuts 2026 Defence Spending to 1.7%-1.8%, Missing NATO's 2% Target Again
Updated
Updated · Modern Diplomacy · Jun 19
Czech Republic Cuts 2026 Defence Spending to 1.7%-1.8%, Missing NATO's 2% Target Again
3 articles · Updated · Modern Diplomacy · Jun 19
Summary
Prague said it will stay below NATO’s 2% defence-spending floor in 2026, budgeting about 1.7% to 1.8% of GDP after also missing the benchmark last year.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said the government chose to repair public finances instead, channeling money toward energy subsidies, infrastructure and other domestic priorities.
That leaves the Czech Republic exposed to allied criticism as NATO presses members to raise military budgets after Russia’s war in Ukraine and repeated U.S. calls for Europe to carry more of the burden.
The gap looks sharper because NATO has already set a 2035 framework of 5% of GDP for defence and related security spending, while Babis says Prague now aims to reach 2% in 2027.