Ukraine and Czech producer to build ammunition factory in Ukraine
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Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal (left) and Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala after signing a cooperation agreement, on July 16.
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PRAGUE - Ukraine's state company Ukroboronservice and Czech ammunition maker Sellier and Bellot plan to build an ammunition factory in Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said on July 16 after joint government meetings in Prague.
The Czech Republic has been a major backer of Kyiv in its fight to push back Russian invaders, spearheading an initiative that has sourced hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds
"Among other agreements in the defenсe industry, a new rounds factory will be built in Ukraine. The agreement was signed between Sellier and Bellot and Ukroboronservice," Mr Shmyhal said, without providing further details.
"This is important for army supplies now."
Czech gunmaker Colt CZ Group, which acquired Sellier and Bellot earlier in 2024, said it would provide machinery to make small-calibre ammunition as part of the project.
Another Colt CZ unit, Ceska Zbrojovka, also signed a technology transfer deal for its CZ BREN 2 rifles to be built in Ukraine, finalising earlier plans.
Mr Shmyhal said Ukraine had received the first 50,000 ammunition shells from the Czech initiative launched earlier in 2024.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said the ammunition drive should continue into 2025.
Around half a million artillery shells are expected to be delivered to Ukraine in 2024 from the Czech drive, which uses contributions from Nato states and allies to source ammunition outside Europe. REUTERS
