Czech Rep. Military Power Ranking 2025
MPR Rank: 65th
MPR SCORE: 518
MPR Index: 0.2043 (1.0000 is perfect)
Reverse MPR Index: 0.7541 (0.0000 is perfect)
Z Score: +0.180 (standard deviations above the mean)
Overview
The Czech Republic ranks 65th in the 2025 Military Power Rankings (MPR). As a Central European NATO member with a professional, well-integrated force, the Czech Republic has prioritized modernization of its air defense, mechanized ground forces, and cyber capabilities. While limited in scale, the Czech military contributes effectively to NATO’s collective posture and is known for its high level of interoperability with allied forces.
Strengths: Modern NATO Force with Regional Interoperability
Mechanized Ground Forces: The Czech Army is undergoing major modernization, acquiring CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, Leopard 2A8 tanks, and self-propelled artillery, significantly enhancing its frontline capabilities.
Air Defense and Modern Fighters: The Czech Republic operates Gripen fighters under lease and is preparing for a transition to F-35s, while fielding upgraded radar and short-range air defense systems to protect national airspace.
Cyber and C4ISR Development: The country has invested in advanced cybersecurity, signal intelligence, and command-and-control platforms, contributing to NATO's digital defense infrastructure.
NATO Integration and Deployments: Czech forces participate in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence, support multinational battlegroups, and contribute to alliance missions in the Baltics, Balkans, and Middle East.
Why the Czech Republic Is Still Ranked Just 65th
1. Limited Force Size and Firepower
Though modern, the Czech military remains relatively small.
Active personnel below 30,000
No heavy airlift or long-range strike assets
Land forces centered on a single modernized brigade structure
2. Transition and Procurement Gaps
Capability growth is underway but incomplete.
Reliance on leased Gripen fighters pending F-35 acquisition
Legacy Soviet-era systems still in reserve or partially active
Defense procurement subject to political and fiscal delays
3. No Strategic Autonomy or Deterrence
The Czech Republic relies fully on NATO’s umbrella for deterrence.
No nuclear weapons, long-range missiles, or independent satellite assets
No doctrine for large-scale autonomous conflict; defense is coalition-centric
Dependent on foreign suppliers for high-tech platforms and munitions
Conclusion
The Czech Republic is a capable and reliable NATO force with growing firepower, cyber resilience, and high interoperability. However, in the context of the MPR—which emphasizes autonomous combat power, strategic independence, and deep force projection—it ranks 64th due to its small scale, limited strike reach, and reliance on allied support structures.
Military Strength and Force Projection
Active Military Personnel: 25,000 (IISS 2023)
Reserve Personnel: 10,000 (CIA World Factbook)
Paramilitary Forces: 5,000 (Active Reserve Forces)
Army Personnel: 20,000
Air Force Personnel: 5,000
Ground Forces
Main Battle Tanks (MBTs): 30+ (T-72, modernized)
Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs): 500+
Artillery (Towed and Self-Propelled): 250+
Air Force
Combat Aircraft: 30+ (SIPRI 2023)
Helicopters: 25+
Transport Aircraft: 10+
Aircraft Breakdown:
JAS 39 Gripen Fighter Jets: 14
Mi-171 Helicopters: 16 (transport)
C-295: 3 (transport)
Naval Forces
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country and does not maintain a naval force.
Missile Capabilities
The Czech Republic does not possess advanced missile systems such as ballistic missiles or hypersonic missiles. However, it has been investing in modern air defense systems and upgrading its SAMs to ensure national security and enhance NATO interoperability.
Strategic Partnerships
As a NATO member, the Czech Republic benefits from NATO’s collective defense mechanisms. The country also maintains close military ties with the United States and other European Union members, participating in joint training exercises and intelligence sharing. The Czech Republic is a key partner in NATO’s defense of Eastern Europe and contributes to regional security initiatives.
Military History & Combat Experience
The Czech Republic’s military history is rooted in the legacy of Czechoslovakia, shaped by two world wars, Cold War-era Warsaw Pact alignment, and post-1990 transformation into a professional NATO-aligned defense force. While the modern Czech Army has not fought independently in major wars, it has extensive peacekeeping and coalition deployment experience.
World War I and Founding of Czechoslovakia (1914–1918): Czech and Slovak soldiers served in the Austro-Hungarian Army, while others formed the Czechoslovak Legion, fighting alongside the Allies on the Eastern Front and in Russia. These efforts led to the post-war creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918, with a national army formed soon after.
World War II and Occupation (1939–1945): In 1939, Nazi Germany occupied the Czech lands without armed resistance. However, Czechoslovak forces re-formed abroad and fought with the British, Soviets, and Free French, including significant roles in the Battle of Britain, North Africa, and the Eastern Front. Resistance movements operated within occupied territory.
Warsaw Pact and Prague Spring (1945–1989): As a Soviet-aligned state, Czechoslovakia became a member of the Warsaw Pact, organizing its military around Soviet doctrine and armored warfare. The 1968 Warsaw Pact invasion of Czechoslovakia, which crushed the Prague Spring, became a defining moment in Cold War history, prompting internal reforms but no direct combat engagements by the Czech military during this period.
Velvet Divorce and NATO Transition (1993–1999): After the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia in 1993, the Czech Republic inherited a portion of the military and began reducing conscription, de-Sovietizing its arsenal, and reorienting toward NATO, which it formally joined in 1999.
Peacekeeping and NATO Missions (1990s–Present): Since joining NATO, Czech forces have contributed to operations in Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Mali, and the Baltics, providing infantry units, engineer detachments, chemical defense teams, and medical personnel. The Czech Republic also participated in Baltic Air Policing and has provided rotational troops to NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia and Lithuania.
The Czech Republic’s military experience is defined by its Cold War transformation and post-1990 integration into Western structures. While it has not conducted independent high-intensity warfare, its armed forces are highly interoperable, experienced in expeditionary missions, and fully embedded in NATO’s command and operational planning frameworks.
General Information
Demographics and Geography
Population: ~10.5 million (2024 est.)
Population Available for Military Service: ~3.4 million
Geographic Area: 78,867 km²
Land Boundaries: 2,143 km
Bordering Countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Temperate; cool summers and cold, cloudy, humid winters
Terrain: Bohemia basin, surrounded by mountains; Moravian highlands
Natural Resources: Hard coal, kaolin, clay, graphite, timber, arable land
Proven Oil Reserves: Negligible
Proven Natural Gas Reserves: Negligible
Economic Indicators
Defense Budget (2025): ~$5.3 billion USD
Defense Budget as % of GDP: ~2.0%
GDP (PPP): ~$590 billion USD
GDP per Capita (PPP): ~$54,000
External Debt: ~$185 billion USD
Military Expenditure Trend (last 5 years): Rapid rise to meet NATO targets and modernization
Military Infrastructure and Readiness
Military Service Obligation: Voluntary; conscription abolished in 2005
Primary Defense Focus: NATO readiness, territorial defense, Eastern Europe deterrence
Military Industry Base: Strong; armored vehicles, small arms, munitions, radar systems
Cyber/Electronic Warfare Capability: Advanced; national cyber force under MoD
Nuclear Warhead Inventory: None (non-nuclear state)
Major Military Districts / Commands: Army, Air Force under General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces
Missile Inventory Highlights: NASAMS, RBS-70, Spike LR2
Reservist Call-up Readiness / Timeline: Moderate readiness; mobilization within 30–60 days
Reservist Force Size: ~30,000
Space, Intelligence, and Strategic Infrastructure
Space or Satellite Programs: Contributes to ESA; national aerospace R&D
Military Satellite Inventory: None
Intelligence Infrastructure: BIS (Security Information Service), Military Intelligence (VZ), UZSI (foreign intel)
Intelligence Sharing Partnerships: NATO, EU, Visegrád Four, bilateral U.S., UK
Airports (Total): ~90
Major Military Airports: Čáslav AB, Pardubice AB, Prague-Kbely AB
Naval Power and Maritime Logistics
Merchant Marine Fleet: ~10 vessels (riverine)
Major Ports: None
Naval Infrastructure: Not applicable
Naval Replenishment Capability: Not applicable
Domestic Mobility and Infrastructure
Railway Network: ~9,500 km
Roadways: ~130,000 km
Energy and Fuel Logistics
Oil Production: Minimal (~3,000 barrels/day)
Energy Imports: Heavy reliance on EU grid and imports via pipelines
Strategic Petroleum Reserves: Maintains required EU/IEA reserves
Defense Production and Strategic Forces
Domestic Defense Production: CZUB (firearms), Tatra (military trucks), ERA (radar), Explosia (munitions)
Military Installations (Domestic): Key bases in Prague, Olomouc, Brno, Pardubice
Military Installations (Overseas): None
Foreign Military Personnel Presence: NATO trainers and rotational presence
Defense Alliances: NATO member, EU CSDP, V4 defense cooperation
Strategic Airlift Capability: C-295M, CASA; reliant on pooled NATO assets
Wartime Industrial Surge Capacity: High regional capacity, export-oriented
Research and Industry Support
Defense R&D Investment: Robust; small arms, armored platforms, EW systems
Key Wartime Industries Beyond Defense: Škoda Group, Tatra Trucks, CZ Group, railway and defense logistics firms
Political and Administrative Structure
Capital: Prague
Founding Date: January 1, 1993 (Velvet Divorce from Czechoslovakia)
System of Government: Unitary parliamentary republic
