Ukraine and Czech Republic Collaborate to Build Ammunition Factory

Ukraine's state company Ukroboronservice and Czech ammunition maker Sellier & Bellot will build an ammunition factory in Ukraine, as confirmed by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The Czech Republic, a major supporter of Ukraine, has sourced hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds, with Czech gunmaker Colt CZ Group also involved in the project.

Ukraine's state company Ukroboronservice and Czech ammunition maker Sellier & Bellot are collaborating to establish an ammunition factory in Ukraine, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on Tuesday following joint government meetings in Prague.

The Czech Republic has been a substantial backer of Kyiv's efforts to repel Russian forces, spearheading a global initiative that has secured hundreds of thousands of ammunition rounds. Among various defense industry agreements, the construction of this new factory was confirmed. "This is important for army supplies now," Shmyhal emphasized.

The Czech gunmaker Colt CZ Group, which recently acquired Sellier & Bellot, will supply machinery to produce small-caliber ammunition for the project. Another Colt CZ unit, Ceska Zbrojovka, has signed a technology transfer deal for its CZ BREN 2 rifles to be manufactured in Ukraine. Shmyhal also noted that Ukraine has received the first 50,000 ammunition shells from the Czech initiative launched earlier this year, with plans to continue the effort into the next year.

Approximately half a million artillery shells are expected to be delivered to Ukraine this year through the Czech initiative, which gathers contributions from NATO states and allies to source ammunition globally.

(With inputs from agencies.)