Budget26: 2 Percent of GDP, or More than €2.88 billion, to Go to Defence

Bratislava, 21 October (TASR) - Next year 2 percent of Slovakia's GDP, or more than €2.88 billion, should be spent on defence, according to the 2026 state budget draft approved by Parliament on Tuesday. "The Defence Ministry's spending in 2026 is budgeted at €2.88 billion. This year-on-year increase of €90.4 million is related to planned GDP growth in 2026 and meeting the political commitment of NATO-member states to invest at least 2 percent of their GDP in defence," reads the draft. More than €1.05 billion will be available to the Defence Ministry for its capital expenditures. "The biggest projects to be financed from capital expenditures next year include the development and modernisation of the J.A. Reiman University Hospital in Presov and purchases of medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems, 8x8 armoured combat vehicles, tracked combat vehicles and medium-range 3D radars," according to the draft budget. Some €779 million should be spent on soldiers and other personnel next year, while €751 million should go on goods and services. Defence development, which mainly includes the acquisition of weapons, equipment, materials, communications and information systems and infrastructure development, should account for €757 million. Finally, €41 million has been allocated to foreign operations and missions. ko/df