Czechia, Ukraine strike deal to build bullet factory, produce assault rifles

The governments of Ukraine and Czechia signed two agreements on joint arms production, announced Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal following his meeting with Czech counterpart Petr Fiala.

Shmyhal stated that the discussions would focus on the "supply of ammunition, integration into the EU and NATO, joint projects and production, infrastructure, and the energy sector", Caliber.Az reports via Ukrainian media.

"Today, we signed two significant agreements in the defence industry. A new bullet factory will be built in Ukraine. The agreement was signed between Sellier & Bellot and Ukroboronservice," Shmyhal announced at a press conference.

The second agreement involves the production of assault rifles by the Czech holding company Colt CZ Group in Ukraine.

A Ukrainian company, whose name Shmyhal withheld for security reasons, will collaborate with armament manufacturer Ceska Zbrojovka, owned by Colt CZ Group.

Shmyhal emphasized that signing these agreements "demonstrates a high level of interest in cooperation with the Ukrainian defence industry."

Shmyhal and Fiala also discussed supplying new types of weapons to the Ukrainian army, training and rehabilitating the Ukrainian military, and new joint projects in the military-industrial complex.

The visit comes just days after Czech President Petr Pavel announced that Ukraine would receive 50,000 shells under Prague's ammunition initiative in July, with deliveries increasing to 100,000 rounds monthly starting in September.

Czechia unveiled the international initiative earlier this year amid Ukraine's shell shortages, exacerbated by the months-long blockade of U.S. assistance.

The Central European country has also provided Ukraine with helicopters, rocket launchers, and tanks, and hosts the highest number of Ukrainian refugees per capita.