Czech Republic to Establish Ammunition Plant and Assault Rifle Production in Ukraine

Czech Republic plans to construct an ammunition plant and establish production of assault rifles on Ukrainian territory as part of expanded defense cooperation between the two countries.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced these developments during a press conference with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala. The agreements include the construction of a new ammunition plant, facilitated through a deal with Ukroboronprom, and the establishment of assault rifle production in Ukraine.

In 2023, the Czech Ministry of Defense announced it would license the production of CZ BREN 2 rifles to Ukraine’s Sich brand, and assist in setting up ammunition production for these rifles. It is likely that these newly signed agreements relate to this production.

The CZ BREN 2 rifles are already in use by Ukrainian military forces under the “Sich” brand, having been received as aid and observed in use by the Main Intelligence Directorate fighters.

Discussions also covered foreign policy, economic cooperation, and projects in humanitarian aid and medicine.