Slovakia to Increase Defense Budget and Troop Strength

The Slovak Parliament has approved the government’s draft state budget for 2027, which calls for an increase in defense spending to €3 billion.

This was reported by Future Army, citing the country’s Defense Ministry.

The planned defense budget amounts to 2.20% of the country’s GDP, which is fully in line with Slovakia’s NATO commitments. Compared to 2026, when spending stood at 2% of GDP, funding for the defense sector has increased by €132 million.

The majority of the budget—61%—will be allocated to operating expenses, including €593 million earmarked for salaries. Under this plan, the defense ministry’s staff is set to increase by 1,815 personnel, 1,300 of whom will be professional military personnel.

Capital expenditures will account for 39% and will be used to fund contracts already signed, including the procurement of air defense systems, CV90 combat vehicles, and the development of military medical infrastructure. Capital expenditures also include the initial payments for the purchase of four additional F-16 fighter jets, in addition to the 14 previously ordered aircraft, for which the main payments are spread out through 2030.

In addition, the procurement of small arms, cargo trucks, CV90 vehicles, and anti-drone systems is planned to be financed through a loan of up to €2.3 billion approved by the EU Council under the SAFE security instrument.

At the same time, the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic is preparing a new application for an additional loan of up to €3 billion under the SAFE 2 program, which it plans to submit in October or November.