Responding to questions about the initiative that helps
purchase ammunition for Ukraine’s military from third countries, Lipavský
assured:
“We have already found a large quantity of ammunition worldwide for 2025 that
can be bought for Ukraine.”
Regarding supplies for this year, Lipavský said everything
planned will be delivered:
“This year, we pledged to purchase and supply 500,000 large-caliber rounds to
Ukraine, provided there is sufficient international support. We will fulfill
that promise.”
He did not specify the exact number of shells already
delivered or still pending but noted that his colleagues overseeing the program
assured him the target would be met by the end of 2024.
Lipavský added that Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, along
with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Dutch Prime Minister Dick
Schoof, agreed to extend the initiative into 2025.
The minister highlighted that a significant portion of the
ammunition comes from existing stockpiles:
“Given that EU defense production has not ramped up yet, we have sourced shells
worldwide and are purchasing them,” Lipavský said.
He noted that some shells are refurbished to ensure they are
in working condition before being sent to Ukraine.
Czech initiative to supply ammunition to Ukraine
Czech President Petr Pavel first announced on Feb. 17, 2024,
plans to procure 800,000 shells for Ukraine—500,000 of 155 mm caliber and
300,000 of 122 mm caliber—without specifying the countries involved. Several
European nations joined the initiative.
A Ukrainian defense official told NV that the shells are to
be purchased from South Korea and South Africa under a contract worth about $2
billion.
On March 11, German tabloid Bild reported that Czechia had
secured 800,000 shells from third countries, potentially including South Korea,
South Africa, and Türkiye.
By Oct. 3, Ukraine had received more than a third of the
promised 500,000 shells under the Czech initiative, according to Ukrainian
Ambassador to Czechia Vasyl Zvarych.
On Nov. 18, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced
that the European Union had delivered the promised 1 million rounds to Ukraine.
By Nov. 22, Lipavský confirmed Ukraine would receive 500,000 shells through the Czech initiative by year’s end.