The Czech Republic is forced to reduce its ambitions to supply shells to Ukraine due to production restrictions – NZZ

The Czech Republic is forced to reduce its ambitions for the supply of ammunition to Ukraine. It turned out to be much more expensive than expected, and the country is facing unexpected competition and obstacles. About this write NZZ.

In February, Czech President Petr Pavel promised Ukrainians 800,000 shells. Deliveries took a long time, and in June the first 45,000 shells arrived in Ukraine. By the end of the year, Ukraine should receive a total of half a million shells, which is less than originally promised. Lack of funding is not the main reason for the reduction in supplies.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic explained that the initial goal will not be achieved by more than a third, unless the partner countries contribute more funds. According to information from Prague, 18 countries have joined the initiative and contributed a total of more than 1.6 billion euros, with two-thirds of them coming from Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. However, not all countries have yet paid, which is one of the reasons for the reduction in supplies.

A more important reason is the increase in ammunition prices due to increased demand in world markets. Former Deputy Minister of Defense Tomasz Kopechny, one of the initiators of the ammunition supply initiative, explained that the promised 800,000 shells now cost twice as much as the originally estimated 1.5 billion euros. Prices on the international market have increased fourfold since 2022, the publication notes.