Czech Company CSG Begins Construction of 155-mm Shell Production Line in USA

The Czech industrial and technology group CSG has officially begun construction of the Future Artillery Complex (FAC) at the Iowa Ammunition Assembly Plant (IAAAP). The facility is designed to produce up to 36,000 155-mm artillery shells per month.

This was reported in a press release from the company.

Once construction is complete, the new government-owned, contractor-operated (GOCO) facility will replace an outdated production line that has served the U.S. Army for over 50 years. The project is being implemented through CSG’s U.S. subsidiary, MSM North America, following the signing in 2025 of a contract with the U.S. Army worth up to $632 million.

“The start of construction on the Future Artillery Complex is much more than just the beginning of a new manufacturing facility. It demonstrates what can be achieved when the U.S. Army and industry work together, united by a shared commitment to strengthening the defense capabilities of our allies,” said Michal Strnad, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of CSG.

Construction of the future complex is expected to take approximately 40 months, and the commissioning and testing of the first prototype are scheduled to take place within 48 months of the contract’s signing. The facility is expected to become operational in 2029.

“This facility, combined with other modernization efforts across the United States, helps us achieve the Army’s goal of producing 100,000 155-millimeter rounds per month. This is a critically important component of ensuring this capability for the future,” emphasized Maj. Brian K. Schwarzkopf of the U.S. Army’s Joint Program Executive Office for Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A).

This is an important step toward modernizing U.S. large-caliber ammunition production capabilities, given the recent reports of a setback in the U.S. Army’s plans to produce 36,000 shells per month instead of the planned 100,000.

CSG Group

The Czechoslovak Group (CSG) holding company’s main areas of activity are the defense and security industries, as well as the automotive and aerospace industries. Its product range includes heavy-duty vehicles, radar stations, and ammunition of all calibers.

The Czech conglomerate cooperates not only with the United States, but also with Ukraine, Turkey, Slovakia, Poland, Azerbaijan, Greece, and Indonesia.