“This is a matter of political will, and if many EU member states join our initiative again, we can achieve a lot for Ukraine,”
— Jan Lipavsky, Czech Foreign Minister
Funding and Quantities Under Consideration
Lipavsky declined to provide an exact figure for the amount of ammunition that might be procured. He noted that the Czech government is currently looking into financing options for a new ammunition initiative, emphasizing that the final number of shells will hinge on the total funds raised.
Background: First Ammunition Initiative
- Initial Purchase Announcement: Czech President Petr Pavel first revealed the possibility of acquiring 800,000 shells for Ukraine in February 2024, specifying 500,000 rounds of 155 mm caliber and 300,000 rounds of 122 mm caliber.
- Sources for Ammunition: A Ukrainian defense official told NV that South Korea and South Africa are likely suppliers, with the contract valued at approximately $2 billion.
Broad International Support
To date, around 20 countries—including Canada, Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belgium, Finland, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Spain, and Slovenia—have reportedly backed the Czech-led initiative to secure and deliver artillery shells to Ukraine.
With the new proposal, the Czech Republic aims to rally further EU commitment, reinforcing Ukraine’s artillery capabilities in the face of ongoing security challenges.
