European companies will soon be able to produce the necessary amount of ammunition both for the needs of European countries and for Ukraine, states President of Czechia, Petr Pavel.
The Czech president noted that producing the necessary amount of ammunition requires time and increasing the capacities of defense enterprises. However, he pointed out that Ukraine needs ammunition now and cannot wait for production.
"We cannot wait for European companies, so we are trying to find ammunition wherever we can. To deliver them to Ukraine as quickly as possible. But at the same time, we are increasing our capacities," Pavel said.
He also expects that shortly, Europe will be able to produce the necessary amount of ammunition.
"Shortly, European companies will be able to produce the necessary amount of ammunition to replenish the stocks of European countries and also to provide Ukraine with ammunition if it still needs it shortly," added the Czech president.
Czechia found a batch of shells for Ukraine
Petr Pavel served as the Chairman of the NATO Military Committee from 2015 to 2018, and before that, from 2012 to 2015, as the Chief of the General Staff of the Czech Army. As a military officer, he is well-versed in military and defense matters.
In recent months, the Armed Forces of Ukraine have faced a severe shortage of artillery ammunition on the front lines. Due to this shortage, our fighters recently had to retreat from the city of Avdiivka and several other settlements in the Donetsk region.
In February, Petr Pavel announced that the Czechia had found 800,000 artillery rounds for Ukraine's military needs: half a million of caliber 155 mm and 300,000 of caliber 122 mm. However, funds needed to be raised for their purchase.
The initiative was supported by Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Denmark, Canada, and France. In particular, on March 6, Germany allocated a three-digit million amount for the purchase of ammunition. Norway provided over $150 million for ammunition.
In early March, Pavel stated that allies had already found almost all the necessary funds for the purchase of the announced batch.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Czechia is using contacts from the Cold War era to obtain the necessary ammunition for Ukraine. Prague is purchasing them from countries that are allies of Moscow.
