Czech defence minister Martin Stropnicky informed local media on 19 March that the 2016 defence budget has been raised by CZK4.5 billion (USD190 million) and should receive similar increases until 2025. The enhanced funding will enable the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to procure new equipment and the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR) to spend more on maintaining existing platforms. Lieutenant General Josef Bec-var, Chief of General Staff of the ACR, told Czech TV on 20 March that, of the 107 Steyr Pandur II 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicles in service with the ACR, 30 need some form of repair and a further 10 are unfit for combat and must undergo extensive maintenance.
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