PRAGUE (AP) – The Czech government on Wednesday passed a bill aimed at bringing defense spending to the required NATO target of 2% of gross domestic product as Russia’s war in Ukraine continues.

Defense Minister Jana Cernochova said the move would “ensure stable and transparent funding for large strategic defense projects in the future.”

Cernochova said the war in Ukraine “made it clear that we need to be prepared for the current and future conflicts, and therefore rapid modernization of the army is absolutely necessary.”

FILE – U.S. military personnel work near a Vermont Air National Guard F-35 fighter jet parked at the military base at Skopje Airport in North Macedonia, June 17, 2022. On Wednesday, January 4, 2023, the government of the Czech Republic passed legislation mandating that the country’s defense spending must meet the required NATO target of 2% of gross domestic product amid Russia’s war against Ukraine. Among the planned largest new weapons purchases, worth billions of dollars, the Czechs have been negotiating with the United States over a possible purchase of 24 F-35 fighter jets and with Sweden over a plan to purchase 210 CV90 armored vehicles. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski, file)

Although the Czechs will spend just 1.52% of GDP on defense this year, the 2% target should be reached in 2024 once the bill is approved in parliament, where the ruling coalition has a majority in both chambers.

NATO members agreed in 2014 to commit to the 2% spending target by 2024. Currently, only nine of the 30 members of the western military alliance meet or exceed this goal.

The US, which provides the bulk of NATO forces, has long complained that several of its European allies are not fielding enough.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the modernization of the Czech military with a planned multi-billion dollar procurement of new weapons. The Czechs were negotiating with the US about a possible purchase of 24 F-35 fighter jets and held talks with Sweden about acquiring 210 CV90 armored vehicles.

The Czech Republic was a staunch supporter of Ukraine and donated Soviet-era weapons, including tanks, to Ukrainian armed forces. It has also issued nearly 475,000 visas to Ukrainian refugees, giving them access to health care, financial aid, work permits and other benefits.

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