Czech-Led Initiative Secures $4.5 Billion for Ammunition Supplies to Ukraine
Foreign donors contribute significantly to Czech ammunition scheme for Ukraine, with the Czech Republic providing 1.7 billion crowns.
PRAGUE: A Czech-led initiative aimed at finding and delivering large-calibre ammunition to Ukraine has garnered substantial support from foreign donors, amounting to 93.3 billion crowns ($4.5 billion).
The Czech Republic itself has contributed a considerable 1.7 billion crowns to this endeavor, as announced by Defense Minister Jana Cernochova on Wednesday.
The increased supplies of ammunition in 2024 and 2025 have reportedly helped bridge the gap between Ukraine and Russia's military capabilities on the frontline.
However, it remains uncertain if this initiative will continue under the next government.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala, alongside Cernochova, noted that the Czech Republic has successfully arranged for the supply of 3.7 million artillery rounds to Ukraine, with over 1.3 million delivered thus far in 2025.
Funding for these supplies comes from a combination of sources, including the initiative itself, returns from frozen Russian assets, bilateral cooperation agreements, and direct purchases by Ukraine.
Fiala expects this year's supply to total approximately 1.8 million shells.
The program operates by matching Czech arms producers and traders with potential sellers who often prefer anonymity, along with foreign donors.
Criticism of the initiative has come from Andrej Babis, whose ANO party recently won a parliamentary election.
Babis has raised concerns over the transparency and pricing of the initiative, suggesting that arms traders have profited excessively.
The outgoing government maintains that the program remains transparent to its funding donors.
Babis has also indicated his intention to halt any Czech budget-funded military aid to Ukraine following the election.
As of Wednesday, total Czech military aid to Ukraine stands at 17.4 billion crowns, encompassing donations of 390 pieces of military equipment, contributions to international funding schemes, participation in the ammunition initiative, and purchases of new equipment.
In return for its contributions, the Czech Republic has received funds and equipment worth 25 billion crowns through back-fill schemes, which include the provision of US helicopters and German Leopard 2A4 tanks.
The Czech Republic itself has contributed a considerable 1.7 billion crowns to this endeavor, as announced by Defense Minister Jana Cernochova on Wednesday.
The increased supplies of ammunition in 2024 and 2025 have reportedly helped bridge the gap between Ukraine and Russia's military capabilities on the frontline.
However, it remains uncertain if this initiative will continue under the next government.
Prime Minister Petr Fiala, alongside Cernochova, noted that the Czech Republic has successfully arranged for the supply of 3.7 million artillery rounds to Ukraine, with over 1.3 million delivered thus far in 2025.
Funding for these supplies comes from a combination of sources, including the initiative itself, returns from frozen Russian assets, bilateral cooperation agreements, and direct purchases by Ukraine.
Fiala expects this year's supply to total approximately 1.8 million shells.
The program operates by matching Czech arms producers and traders with potential sellers who often prefer anonymity, along with foreign donors.
Criticism of the initiative has come from Andrej Babis, whose ANO party recently won a parliamentary election.
Babis has raised concerns over the transparency and pricing of the initiative, suggesting that arms traders have profited excessively.
The outgoing government maintains that the program remains transparent to its funding donors.
Babis has also indicated his intention to halt any Czech budget-funded military aid to Ukraine following the election.
As of Wednesday, total Czech military aid to Ukraine stands at 17.4 billion crowns, encompassing donations of 390 pieces of military equipment, contributions to international funding schemes, participation in the ammunition initiative, and purchases of new equipment.
In return for its contributions, the Czech Republic has received funds and equipment worth 25 billion crowns through back-fill schemes, which include the provision of US helicopters and German Leopard 2A4 tanks.