Stuart Peach

Stuart Peach

NATO considers terrorism and Russia main threats, Czech Defence Minister Metnar said after meeting NATO Military Committee Chairman Stuart Peach in Prague, Czech Republic, May 4, 2021. (CTK Photo/Michal Krumphanzl)

Lubomir Metnar

Lubomir Metnar

NATO considers terrorism and Russia main threats, Czech Defence Minister Metnar (pictured) said after meeting NATO Military Committee Chairman Peach in Prague, Czech Republic, May 4, 2021. (CTK Photo/Michal Krumphanzl)

Lubomir Metnar, Stuart Peach

Lubomir Metnar, Stuart Peach

NATO considers terrorism and Russia main threats, Czech Defence Minister Metnar (right) said after meeting NATO Military Committee Chairman Peach (left) in Prague, Czech Republic, May 4, 2021. (CTK Photo/Michal Krumphanzl)

Lubomir Metnar, Stuart Peach

Lubomir Metnar, Stuart Peach

NATO considers terrorism and Russia main threats, Czech Defence Minister Metnar (right) said after meeting NATO Military Committee Chairman Peach (left) in Prague, Czech Republic, May 4, 2021. (CTK Photo/Michal Krumphanzl)

ALES OPATA, LUBOMIR METNAR, ANDREJ BABIS

ALES OPATA, LUBOMIR METNAR, ANDREJ BABIS

Commanders meeting of Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata (left) to explain priorities and main tasks of the military for next year. Prime Minister Andrej Babis (right) and Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (centre) speak during the press conference after the meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, November 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Krumphanzl)

ALES OPATA, LUBOMIR METNAR, ANDREJ BABIS

ALES OPATA, LUBOMIR METNAR, ANDREJ BABIS

Commanders meeting of Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata (centre left) to explain priorities and main tasks of the military for next year. Prime Minister Andrej Babis (centre right) and Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (centre) speak during the press conference after the meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, November 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Krumphanzl)

Tomas Kotrc, PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

Tomas Kotrc, PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

The ABF CEO Tomas Kotrc speaks to journalists on Thursday, October 15, 2020, as government will issue a decision on creating a field hospital within the grounds of the PVA EXPO Praha Letnany in the Letnany neighbourhood at Prague outskirts on Friday, Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) told journalists today. The facility with up to 500 beds is to be established to face the growing number of COVID-19 infected and a shortage of beds in hospitals, Metnar said. (CTK Photo/Ondrej Deml)

PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

The government will issue a decision on creating a field hospital within the grounds of the PVA EXPO Praha Letnany in the Letnany neighbourhood at Prague outskirts on Friday, Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) told journalists today, on Thursday, October 15, 2020. The facility with up to 500 beds is to be established to face the growing number of COVID-19 infected and a shortage of beds in hospitals, Metnar said. (CTK Photo/Ondrej Deml)

PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

The government will issue a decision on creating a field hospital within the grounds of the PVA EXPO Praha Letnany in the Letnany neighbourhood at Prague outskirts on Friday, Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) told journalists today, on Thursday, October 15, 2020. The facility with up to 500 beds is to be established to face the growing number of COVID-19 infected and a shortage of beds in hospitals, Metnar said. (CTK Photo/Ondrej Deml)

Tomas Kotrc, PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

Tomas Kotrc, PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

The ABF CEO Tomas Kotrc speaks to journalists on Thursday, October 15, 2020, as government will issue a decision on creating a field hospital within the grounds of the PVA EXPO Praha Letnany in the Letnany neighbourhood at Prague outskirts on Friday, Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) told journalists today. The facility with up to 500 beds is to be established to face the growing number of COVID-19 infected and a shortage of beds in hospitals, Metnar said. (CTK Photo/Ondrej Deml)

Tomas Kotrc, PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

Tomas Kotrc, PVA EXPO Praha Letnany

The ABF CEO Tomas Kotrc speaks to journalists on Thursday, October 15, 2020, as government will issue a decision on creating a field hospital within the grounds of the PVA EXPO Praha Letnany in the Letnany neighbourhood at Prague outskirts on Friday, Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) told journalists today. The facility with up to 500 beds is to be established to face the growing number of COVID-19 infected and a shortage of beds in hospitals, Metnar said. (CTK Photo/Ondrej Deml)

Vaclav Malat, Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

Vaclav Malat, Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

The Chief-of-General-Staff Ales Opata, from left, Chief-of-Staff Vaclav Malat and Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar attend the parade of the Czech military 53rd reconnaissance and electronic combat unit at the Prostejov barracks, Czech Republic, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, on the occasion of the bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems. (CTK Photo/Ludek Perina)

Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata, Milos Zeman bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems

Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata, Milos Zeman bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems

The Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, from left, Chief-of-General-Staff Ales Opata and President Milos Zeman (second from right) attend the parade of the Czech military 53rd reconnaissance and electronic combat unit at the Prostejov barracks, Czech Republic, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, on the occasion of the bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems. (CTK Photo/Ludek Perina)

Lubomir Metnar

Lubomir Metnar

The Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar attends the parade of the Czech military 53rd reconnaissance and electronic combat unit at the Prostejov barracks, Czech Republic, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, on the occasion of the bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems. (CTK Photo/Ludek Perina)

Milos Zeman, Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

Milos Zeman, Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

The Chief-of-General-Staff Ales Opata, from right, President Milos Zeman and Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar attend the parade of the Czech military 53rd reconnaissance and electronic combat unit at the Prostejov barracks, Czech Republic, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, on the occasion of the bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems. (CTK Photo/Ludek Perina)

Milos Zeman, Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

Milos Zeman, Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

The Chief-of-General-Staff Ales Opata, from right, President Milos Zeman and Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar attend the parade of the Czech military 53rd reconnaissance and electronic combat unit at the Prostejov barracks, Czech Republic, on Tuesday, October 6, 2020, on the occasion of the bestowing of a combat flag and the honorary name of Major General Josef Duda on the 533rd Battalion Unmanned Systems. (CTK Photo/Ludek Perina)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, right, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, right, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, left, and her Czech counterpart Lubomir Metnar wear a face masks during the press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, right, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, right, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, right, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Lubomir Metnar, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Lubomir Metnar, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, left, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Lubomir Metnar, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Lubomir Metnar, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, left, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Lubomir Metnar

German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, left, and her Czech counterpart Lubomir Metnar wear a face masks during the press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Lubomir Metnar, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Lubomir Metnar, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Czech Defence Minister Vladimir Metnar, left, welcomes his German counterpart Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in Prague, Czech Republic, July 17, 2020. Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer is on a four-day trip through several states on the eastern external border of the EU. She wants to talk to the partners about defence policy issues and Germany's current EU Council Presidency. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Lubomir Metnar

Lubomir Metnar

Czech Defense Minister Lubomir Metnar speaks during the 7th annual conference Our Security Cannot Be Taken for Granted dealing with security aspects of the coronavirus crisis and general issues related to Czech defence and NATO membership, on June 25, 2020, in Prague, Czech Republic. (CTK Photo/Katerina Sulova)

LUBOMIR METNAR

LUBOMIR METNAR

Czech LUBOMIR METNAR speaks during the press conference of meeting of V4 defenses ministers in Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR speak during the press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO speak during the press conference in Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

JAROSLAV NAD, LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY, TIBOR BENKO

From left V4 defenses ministers JAROSLAV NAD of Slovakia, Czech LUBOMIR METNAR, PAWEL WOZNY of Poland and Hungarian TIBOR BENKO in action during the ceremony to formally close Czech presidency in area of defence in Vitkov Memorial, Prague, Czech Republic, June 24, 2020. (CTK Photo/Michal Kamaryt)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis visits 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. He said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, center, visits 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. He said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis visits 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. He said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army, Andrej Babis

42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army, Andrej Babis

Soldiers from 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. Prime Minister Andrej Babis visited the 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor and said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, center, visits 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. He said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, right, visits 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. He said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, right, pays tribute to three soldiers of 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020, who were killed during their mission in Afghanistan two years ago. Babis during his visit of 42nd mechanised battalion said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, Lubomir Metnar, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, Lubomir Metnar, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, right, and Minister of Defence Lubomir Metnar, second from right, visit 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. Babis said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, Lubomir Metnar, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, Lubomir Metnar, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis, center, and Minister of Defence Lubomir Metnar, left, pay tribute to three soldiers of 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020, who were killed during their mission in Afghanistan two years ago. Babis during his visit of 42nd mechanised battalion said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Andrej Babis, 42nd mechanised battalion in Tabor, Czech Army

Prime Minister Andrej Babis visits 42nd mechanised battalion of Czech Army in Tabor, Czech Republic, May 22, 2020. He said that it is a shame that the army is still using old Russian vehicles. The Czech state must not cut the military budget also because the army needs new vehicles. (CTK Photo/Vaclav Pancer)

Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

Lubomir Metnar, Ales Opata

Only a military torso is left due to years of neglecting of the Czech army, and it is no time for slowing down the military upgrading now, Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata, right, told a military command meeting today, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. We must reinforce the torso once again. The Russian equipment really is not our path anymore. The allies are moving away from us and the potential enemy is getting a generation ahead of us, he said. The military has been suffering enough in the recent years, he said. Opata said his priorities are soldiers, the military's rearmament, quick-impact-projects, the command and control system, and gaining new capabilities. He recalled that the Czech Republic repeatedly pledged at NATO summits to annually spend 2 percent of the gross domestic product on the military in 2024. Some Czech politicians have recently challenged this pledge. Opata said defence spending of 2 percent of GDP is neither money for the soldiers nor money for the army. It is two percent for our defence, he pointed out. Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar, left, (for ANO) said he considers his main goal to defend the stable and predictable financial framework of the military in the government and parliament. (CTK Photo/Michal Kruphanzl)

Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata

Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata

Only a military torso is left due to years of neglecting of the Czech army, and it is no time for slowing down the military upgrading now, Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata told a military command meeting today, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. We must reinforce the torso once again. The Russian equipment really is not our path anymore. The allies are moving away from us and the potential enemy is getting a generation ahead of us, he said. The military has been suffering enough in the recent years, he said. Opata said his priorities are soldiers, the military's rearmament, quick-impact-projects, the command and control system, and gaining new capabilities. He recalled that the Czech Republic repeatedly pledged at NATO summits to annually spend 2 percent of the gross domestic product on the military in 2024. Some Czech politicians have recently challenged this pledge. Opata said defence spending of 2 percent of GDP is neither money for the soldiers nor money for the army. It is two percent for our defence, he pointed out. Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) said he considers his main goal to defend the stable and predictable financial framework of the military in the government and parliament. (CTK Photo/Michal Kruphanzl)

Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata

Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata

Only a military torso is left due to years of neglecting of the Czech army, and it is no time for slowing down the military upgrading now, Chief-of-Staff Ales Opata told a military command meeting today, on Tuesday, February 25, 2020. We must reinforce the torso once again. The Russian equipment really is not our path anymore. The allies are moving away from us and the potential enemy is getting a generation ahead of us, he said. The military has been suffering enough in the recent years, he said. Opata said his priorities are soldiers, the military's rearmament, quick-impact-projects, the command and control system, and gaining new capabilities. He recalled that the Czech Republic repeatedly pledged at NATO summits to annually spend 2 percent of the gross domestic product on the military in 2024. Some Czech politicians have recently challenged this pledge. Opata said defence spending of 2 percent of GDP is neither money for the soldiers nor money for the army. It is two percent for our defence, he pointed out. Defence Minister Lubomir Metnar (for ANO) said he considers his main goal to defend the stable and predictable financial framework of the military in the government and parliament. (CTK Photo/Michal Kruphanzl)