Ukraine to get 500,000 ammo rounds under Czech initiative by late 2024

The Czech Defense Ministry reports.

It is noted that 18 states are currently participating in the initiative, and its funds cover the purchase of about 500,000 rounds of ammunition, which Ukraine should receive by the end of 2024.

"The first deliveries of ammunition under the Czech ammunition initiative are safely in Ukraine. These are tens of thousands of 155 mm ammunition units that were financed by Germany and handed over to Ukrainian partners in the second half of June. This is the first part of the total amount of 180,000 units of ammunition financed by Germany's contribution," said Defence Minister Yana Chernokhova.

She also said that the initiative is an effective and practical assistance to Ukraine in its struggle to restore its sovereignty.

"Yesterday, at the suggestion of the Minister, the government unanimously approved the Czech Republic's participation in the initiative in the amount of CZK 865 million 775 thousand (over €34 million). The money will be spent on the purchase of ammunition from a domestic supplier, i.e. the Czech company STV GROUP," said Prime Minister Petr Fiala, adding that it is not possible to announce the dates and volume of supplies for security reasons.

 "When the time is right, we will inform the public," he said.

Czech initiative to purchase ammunition for Ukraine: what is known

On February 17, it became known that the Czech Republic had found sources abroad for hundreds of thousands of artillery rounds that it could deliver to Ukraine in a matter of weeks.

The Netherlands publicly announced their participation by allocating 100 million euros for the purchase of ammunition. France will also join the initiative to procure ammunition for Ukraine outside the EU. Additionally, Germany and Norway have expressed support for the initiative.

On February 22, media reported that Canada was ready to allocate up to $22 million for shells for Ukraine. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Kroo also announced that the country would finance the Czech initiative with €200 million.

On March 2, the Czech Republic announced that they would be able to make the first deliveries of ammunition to Kyiv within a few weeks.

Later, Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė stated that her country would support the Czech Republic's multilateral initiative to purchase and transfer artillery ammunition to Ukraine.

On March 8, Czech President Petr Pavel announced the completion of fundraising for the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine. The government clarified that it was only the first batch of 300,000 shells.

On March 12, the Czech Republic announced the possibility of purchasing another 200,000 artillery shells for Ukraine in addition to the 300,000 already financed.

The Czech government said that artillery shells, which will be purchased at the initiative of Prague, are likely to start arriving in Ukraine in June.

Germany will provide Ukraine with 180,000 artillery rounds as part of the Czech-led ammunition purchase plan.