Czech Military Exports on Track to Reach CZK 100 Billion in 2025
Exports of military equipment from the Czech Republic could approach CZK 100 billion this year, according to Jiří Hynek, president and executive director of the Defence and Security Industry Association. Speaking at a defence and aerospace industry conference in Brno, Hynek noted that the sector’s growth, while strong, is unlikely to continue at the record pace seen in 2024.
Last year, Czech arms exports rose by 86 percent year-on-year to around CZK 91 billion, largely driven by demand for large-caliber artillery ammunition destined for Ukraine. Hynek estimated that between 70 and 75 percent of exports either directly or indirectly supported Ukraine’s defence efforts. He cautioned, however, that production capacity in this area has little room to expand further due to limits in the chemical industry.
“There is optimism and exports continue to grow, but the main segment – artillery ammunition – is close to its capacity ceiling. New opportunities may come from more advanced defence systems, but we cannot expect the same kind of rapid increase as last year,” Hynek said. He added that if exports were to exceed expectations, it would likely involve re-exports of equipment produced outside the Czech Republic rather than new domestic output.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s 2024 Annual Report on Foreign Trade in Military Material, Czech authorities issued 1,678 export licenses to 95 countries last year, covering goods worth more than CZK 105 billion. Actual deliveries amounted to CZK 91 billion.
Imports of military equipment also rose sharply, reaching CZK 26 billion in 2024 – an increase of nearly 130 percent compared to 2023. The Ministry granted 668 import licenses from 42 countries, covering goods worth CZK 110.4 billion.
While the Czech defence sector remains one of the fastest-growing in Europe, industry leaders expect export figures to stabilise this year rather than surge at the exceptional rates recorded during 2023–2024.
Source: CTK
