The MoD budget will be enforced in the next year by 1.2 milliard CZK compared to the original proposal. All these financial resources will be aimed at investing in army modernization. Minister of Finance Alena Schillerová and Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar agreed it in a recent meeting.  That is positive news for the soldiery; however the Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic, by extension the Czech Army, has permanent problems with implementation of purchases.

Picture: During the recent meeting, Minister of Finance Alena Schillerová and Minister of Defence Lubomír Metnar (in the picture) agreed on the enforcement of the MoD budget for the next year by 1.2 milliard CZK compared to the original proposal |  army.cz

“We succeeded in finding a good compromise. Thanks to the agreed budget, we can continue to focus on the fulfilment of our allied obligations arising from the membership of our country in NATO to increase the share of the expenses for the defence up to 1.4 % GDP in 2021 and 2 % in 2024. And I am satisfied that the increase of the defence department budget will be used for investments, which are a drive of the economy, especially in the times of deceleration of its growth,“ said Minister Alena Schillerová after the meeting.

“The MoD budget was increased today by 1.2 milliard and will reach of 75.5 milliard CZK in total in the next year. We, thus, can continue to plan enforcement and modernization of our army and invest in a series of projects, for example, in procurements of helicopters or IFVs. I am satisfied with the results of the meeting,“ added Minister Lubomír Metnar.

Picture: “We, thus, can continue to plan enforcement and modernization of our army and invest in a series of projects, for example, in procurements of helicopters or IFVs,” added Minister Lubomír Metnar.

However, in the context with the recent cancellation of the procurements of new helmets, when it was absolutely insufficient solution (that wasn’t be able to pass combat tests), these were rather smiling words. The Army has money, but can neither manage to spend it nor to move up within senseless tenders, where - as usual - the cheapest quotation is the most correct. On the one hand, it may appear that by this the MoD hides behind within the prior corruption cases and, thus, chooses more transparent and cheaper procurements. Though, for good reason a proverb says that we're not rich enough to buy cheap things.

Picture: A dead-line for the procurement of new helmets is far away again (illustrative photo) | army.cz

Isn’t, thus, overcautiousness, unbelievable bureaucracy and administrative load currently more like a burden? The Army necessarily needs new equipment, military hardware and armament, but permanent delays of deliveries, cancellations of tenders, their postponements and errors in the submissions are a stumbling block. By the way, do you know that the tender for the new IFVs is getting in slippage. Planned signing in September is now already absolutely far away.