Czech Republic outlines core priorities to modernise army

The Czech Republic’s Government has approved a new Czech army modernisation plan, outlining what capabilities and requirements the force needs to ensure it can credibly defend the country.

Published on 2 November, the ‘Concept of the Development of the Army of the Czech Republic until 2040’ outlined the need to increase personnel numbers, develop air and counter-drone defences, modernise mechanised units and continue introducing uncrewed vehicles.

The document “sets out how the Czech army should develop in order to be able to defend its own territory and operate jointly with its allies,” the Czech Republic’s Ministry of Defence said.

“Emphasis will also be placed on command and control, medical support, logistics, and supplies,” the document states.

Expanding on the drone defence requirements, the head of the army, General Miroslav Hlaváč, told media during the document’s launch that introducing counter-drone capabilities to protect operational units and the country’s territory was one of his priorities during his term in office.

Czech army 2040 plan: three stages of modernisation

The document outlines three stages for modernising its army, up to 2040.

The first stage, up to 2030, focuses on growing the number of personnel to 32,000 active soldiers with 10,000 in reserve, along with eliminating urgent shortcomings, especially air defence. The modernisation of the heavy mechanised brigade will continue, and the modernisation of the medium brigade will begin.

The second stage, up to 2035, focuses on a “comprehensive development of military capabilities, the introduction and interconnection of new weapons systems, and further strengthening of capabilities needed for NATO's collective defence,” the document said.  

By 2040, the “transformation towards a new generation army” will have been completed. Along with the continued development of autonomous technologies, the army intends to strengthen “missile defence, mobilisation capabilities and [the] long-term sustainability of forces.”

According to the document, the army aims to build, by 2040, a multi-layered air defence system, incorporating medium and long-range systems, as well as ballistic missile defence capabilities.  

What Czech army modernisation programmes are underway now?

The Army of the Czech Republic is aiming to replace ageing Soviet-era equipment, including by purchasing 246 CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles from BAE Systems Hägglunds and 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks from KNDS, with an option for 14 more. It is also buying ‘CAESAR’ 8x8 self-propelled howitzers and Pandur II armoured vehicles.

And in April 2026, Defence Minister Jaromír Zůna said the army plans to acquire 3,000 drones by 2028. The purchase of mobile counter-drone protection for its medium and heavy brigades is an open requirement.

Czech defence budget: how will the 2040 plan be funded?

The pace of change, however, will depend on available financial resources, the document notes.

The Czech Republic’s defence spending is expected to reach 1.78% of GDP this year, below NATO’s 2% target, Prime Minister Andrej Babiš said in April. The government plans to reach 2% by 2027.

This means the country is “not meeting 70% ​of NATO capability targets buildup,” the document said, adding that this “limits the Czech army's ability to meet collective defence tasks.”  

“The concept is therefore not a promise that all capabilities will be built immediately. It sets out the long-term direction, priorities and progress of the army's development.”

Commenting on this, General Hlaváč said the 2040 army modernisation document was “not a shopping list.”