Czechia to Produce Ammunition and Assault Rifles in Ukraine

At a joint meeting in Prague on Tuesday, the governments of Ukraine and the Czech Republic signed two agreements on joint arms production in Ukraine. 

This was reported by the Czech Colt CZ Group.

Two subsidiaries of the Colt CZ Group, Sellier & Bellot and Česká Zbrojovka (Czech Arms), signed contracts with the Ukrainian arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom as part of Czech-Ukrainian intergovernmental consultations.

Ukroboronprom and Sellier & Bellot agreed to cooperate in the production of various types of small-calibre ammunition (cartridges) in Ukraine. Česká Zbrojovka, in accordance with the letter of intent with Ukroboronprom from February, signed a contract on technology transfer for the production of CZ BREN 2 rifles in Ukraine.

“The Czech Republic firmly supports Ukraine in its defence against unprecedented Russian aggression through diplomatic means, as well as economic, humanitarian and military assistance. I am proud of the Czech companies Česká Zbrojovka and Sellier & Bellot not only for supplying military materials to the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but also for building a self-sufficient Ukrainian defence industry that will help Ukraine's defence and economy,” commented the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Petr Fiala.  

“We are honoured to have been selected by the Ukrainian government to help build up the production of small calibre ammunition to NATO standards on Ukrainian soil. Our contribution will focus on the supply of ammunition production equipment,” said Radek Musil, CEO of Sellier & Bellot.

“The Czech Republic is one of our most active partners. We are grateful to the Czech people for their support and to Czech arms manufacturers for their trust. I am confident that this cooperation will contribute not only to increasing arms production in Ukraine but also to deepening the integration of the Ukrainian defence industry into the NATO defence industrial base,” said Oleksandr Kamyshyn, Ukrainian Minister for Strategic Industries.

The foundations of these projects were laid at the First International Defence Industry Forum (DFNC1), which took place in Kyiv in September 2023, thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Strategic Industries, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, with 252 companies from over 30 countries participating.

Sellier & Bellot and Česká Zbrojovka are among the largest and most important defence companies in the Czech Republic. They are the largest producers of ammunition and small arms in the country. Both companies are long-term partners and suppliers to various military and law enforcement agencies around the world, including many EU and NATO countries.

Colt CZ Group is one of the leading manufacturers of firearms and ammunition for military and law enforcement, personal defence, hunting, sport shooting and other commercial use. The company sells its products primarily under the Colt, CZ (Česká Zbrojovka), Colt Canada, CZ-USA, Dan Wesson, Sellier & Bellot, Spuhr, swissAA and 4M Systems brands.