This initial procurement will soon be followed by another contract for 300,000 rounds of ammunition.
Prime Minister Fiala highlighted the collaborative nature of this effort, noting, "In the coming months, they will be delivered to the Ukrainian front. We would never have achieved such promising results without the strong initial support of Denmark and the Netherlands - and around 20 other countries who later joined us by pledging to help."
Over the course of the full-scale Russian-Ukrainian war, the Czech Republic has already supplied the Ukrainian Defense Forces with more than a million large-caliber rounds. The Czech government is actively working to establish a reliable supply mechanism that will have a significant impact on the frontlines. Fiala attributed the success of these efforts to the Czech Republic's unique position, leveraging its robust defense industry and historically established international contacts.
Furthermore, the Czech munitions initiative also aims to provide the Western world with more time to adjust to the changing dynamics of global security, marked by the war's profound impact. Fiala emphasized the need for a revised security policy in the West, which involves substantial investments in defense to deter potential aggressors.
"All these changes are happening: we are investing much more in the security and modernization of our defense forces. NATO is expanding. And even those figures in individual countries who until recently believed that reasonable negotiations with Russia could be conducted are now fully aware of their share of responsibility," Fiala explained.
The funding for these artillery shells is part of a larger effort, with the Czech Republic spearheading the initiative to gather support from other nations. To date, Germany, France, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Norway have pledged their participation, showcasing a united front in support of Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
