Media: Czech Republic extends shell supply programme for Ukraine

The Czech Republic has decided to extend its Czech Initiative programme supplying shells to Ukraine, following pressure from the United States, according to journalist Jan Novotný in a podcast for iRozhlas.

The country’s new government, led by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, had considered halting the purchase of 155mm shells for Ukraine using allied funding.

However, officials abandoned the idea to avoid straining relations with Washington, which strongly supports the initiative—a move also benefiting the US defence industry.

Ukraine has received more than 4.4 million large-calibre shells under the Czech Initiative, accounting for over half of all such ammunition supplied, Czech President Petr Pavel said.

Launched in early 2024, the programme coordinates the purchase of artillery shells—including 122mm, 152mm, and 155mm calibres—from third countries and delivers them to Ukraine.

Pavel said the initiative not only supplies ammunition but also provides expertise in logistics, financing, and coordination to ensure shells reach Ukraine efficiently and at a reasonable cost.

Nearly two million shells were delivered last year alone. Despite a government change in late 2025, Czechia decided to continue the programme, now fully coordinated but not financed by Prague.

By mid-December 2025, partner countries had already secured funding for 760,000 shells for 2026 deliveries.

By Aghakazim Guliyev