How Bren 2 Became Ukraine’s Rifle of Choice on the Frontline

The CZ Bren 2 assault rifle has secured a strong position among the firearms used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces, becoming one of the few foreign-made rifles to achieve localized production in Ukraine.

According to Defense Express on June 11, the rifle’s success is largely attributed to its reliability in combat and the manufacturer’s strategic approach to entering the Ukrainian defense market.

Following the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine received a wide range of small arms from various international partners. Among them was Poland’s GROT rifle, which, like the Bren 2, was considered a potential replacement for Soviet-era Kalashnikov rifles.

However, despite arriving around the same time, the GROT failed to meet the expectations of Ukrainian forces. Complaints centered around poor performance under battlefield conditions, especially regarding the rifle’s durability.

In addition to technical issues, the Polish manufacturer showed limited engagement in terms of after-sales support and did not establish a reliable supply chain for spare parts. Some Polish sources later attributed the underperformance to earlier production batches that had not yet addressed initial design flaws.

In contrast, the Bren 2—already a refined and battle-tested platform—was delivered in better condition and demonstrated greater resilience in the field. More importantly, the Czech manufacturer actively promoted the weapon in Ukraine, offering favorable conditions for local production.

This effort to integrate with the Ukrainian defense industry played a crucial role in the rifle’s adoption.

France’s Verney-Carron also attempted to enter the Ukrainian market with a deal signed in late 2023 to supply 10,000 assault rifles, 2,000 sniper rifles, and 400 grenade launchers. However, by early 2025, the company declared bankruptcy.

The status of the Ukrainian contract remains unclear. Verney-Carron, best known for its hunting firearms, had already faced delays fulfilling other agreements prior to this deal, raising questions about its capacity to execute large-scale military orders.

The experience of these competitors underlines a key point: providing a quality firearm is not sufficient to win a major contract.

Suppliers must also offer logistical support, financial reliability, and the ability to localize production. The Czech manufacturer’s approach combined all these elements, allowing Bren 2 to establish a notable presence in Ukraine.

However, the rifle still faces competition. Ukraine’s domestically produced UAR-15, already in use by various units, offers nearly full localization and strong operational performance. While future expansion of Bren 2 production in Ukraine is planned, the long-term outcome will depend on the depth and effectiveness of its integration into the local defense sector.

Earlier, in November 2024, Ukraine began licensed assembly of NATO-standard BREN-2 rifles in partnership with Česká zbrojovka. The agreement includes plans for eventual full production within Ukraine.

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