4.10.2023
The Government Approved the New Defence Strategy of the Czech Republic. It Responds to the Significantly Deteriorated Security Environment
Today, the Government approved the new Defence Strategy of the Czech Republic. The reason for its creation is primarily a fundamental deterioration of the security environment, to which the Czech Republic and its armed forces must respond. The document describes what threats we face and what needs to be done to make our defences strong and reliable. Its main priorities include a whole-of-society approach to defence, adequate funding for the armed forces and an active membership in NATO.
The document was created by experts from the Ministry of Defence and in coordination with other government bodies as well as the wider security community and the defence industry. It builds on the new Security Strategy of the Czech Republic and elaborates its implications in the defence domain. It also reflects the new strategic documents of NATO and the EU.
The document identifies Russia as the most serious long-term threat to the security of the Czech Republic and its allies and partners. "By invading Ukraine, Russia launched the largest military conflict in Europe since the end of the Second World War, and its great-power ambitions threaten Central and Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic," stated Defence Minister Jana Černochová. But it is not only Russia that threatens our security - the document also mentions the People’s Republic of China, which seeks to transform the international order, instability in Europe's neighbourhood and international terrorism.
Deterring the adversary as a priority
According to the new Defence Strategy, the primary task is to deter the attacker. "Our goal is not to wage war against the aggressor, but to deter him from attacking. For this to work, we need strong defence capabilities as well as an unquestionable determination to use them in the event of an attack," emphasizes Minister Černochová in her preface to the Defence Strategy.
NATO membership plays a key role in this: Together with its allies, the Czech Republic will not only be able to defend itself against possible aggression more effectively, but, above all, deter the adversary more easily so that no attack takes place.
For the defence to be effective, the first priority is to build well-armed, well-equipped, well-trained and combat-sustainable armed forces deployable in collective defence operations. The second, equally important priority is a comprehensive operational preparation of the Czech territory and enablement of reception, movement, and support of a potentially large number of Allied forces.
The defence of the country as a matter of all citizens
Defence not the responsibility of the Czech Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence only. The document emphasizes the involvement of all necessary government bodies and the society as a whole. The ready and available reserves of the armed forces must also assume a greater role in defence.
The domestic defence and security industry plays a fundamental role in strengthening the defence capability of the Czech Republic. In the event of a crisis, it contributes to the security of supply and combat sustainability of the armed forces. According to the Defence Strategy, it is essential to deepen the dialogue and partnership between the state and the industry.
Building a reliable defence of the state requires adequate funding. The Czech Republic will therefore spend at least 2% of its GDP on defence each year, and, if needed, will proceed to further increase defence spending above this level.
The Defence Strategy of the Czech Republic will be followed up by other strategic, conceptual and planning documents. By the end of this year, the new Czech Armed Forces Development Concept 2035 will be adopted.