1997 Budget:
$990 million
(1.9% increase for 1999)
Troops:
59,100
(35,000 are draftees)
Reduced by 50% since 1993.
Tanks:
938 obsolete Christie-types
Fighter Aircraft:
109
(MIG-21s or SU-22s)
Set to spend $800 million on Czech L-159 light attack planes over next 4 yrs.
AERO Vodochody L-159
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Initial NATO deployments call for a 400-man "rapid reaction force"
and a chemical decontamination unit.
A mechanized battalion is scheduled for 2003.
Jan. 1998
The name of a British intelligence official was leaked to the media.
Czech agents were apparently angry about his role in the
dismissal of the chief of the Czech intelligence agency.
Late 1998.
A new national security law was required
as part of it's entry into NATO.
It requires a background check on all w/ access to classified materiel.
It is theoretically more stringent than NATO standards.
All parties, except the Communists, support NATO entry.
30% of people are opposed.
Czech troops work w/ the British in Bosnia.
Economic stagnation means standardization w/ NATO equipment
will not begin until 2005.
It will take at least 10 yrs. to complete.
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