The Ukrainian state-owned company "Ukroboronservis" and the Czech ammunition manufacturer "Selie and Belo" (Sellier & Bellot) intend to build a munitions plant in Ukraine, Reuters reported, referring to a statement by Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmygal after joint government meetings in Prague, BTA reports.
The Czech Republic is one of Kiev's main backers in its fight to repel the Russian invaders and is spearheading an initiative to secure hundreds of thousands of shells from around the world.
"Among other defense industry agreements, a new projectile plant will be built in Ukraine. The agreement was signed between "Selie and Belo" and "Ukroboronservis,", Shmigal said without elaborating. "This is important for supplies to the army," he added.
Czech arms manufacturer Colt CZ Group, which bought "Selie and Bello" this year, said it would provide machinery to produce small-caliber ammunition as part of the project.
Another division of the Colt CZ Group, "Czech Zbroiovka" (Česká zbrojovka), also signed a technology transfer deal for its CZ BREN 2 assault rifles to be produced in Ukraine.
Shmigal said Ukraine had received the first 50,000 shells from the Czech initiative launched earlier this year. Czech Prime Minister Petar Fiala said the ammunition initiative will continue next year.
About half a million artillery shells are expected to be delivered to Ukraine this year thanks to a Czech initiative that relies on contributions from NATO and allied countries to secure ammunition from countries outside Europe, according to Reuters.