Czechia to Continue Ammunition Supplies to Ukraine in 2026

The Czech government has confirmed it will continue supplying artillery shells to Ukraine under its national initiative in 2026.

Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský announced this.

According to Lipavský, the Czech Republic has secured funding for the initiative through 2026 and allocated substantial resources to ensure continued deliveries. However, he noted that implementation also depends on financial contributions from other countries.

The number of shells to be delivered next year has not been disclosed. Meanwhile, deliveries to Ukraine in 2025 are expected to reach a record 1.8 million rounds, funded by 11 participating countries and revenues from frozen Russian assets.

The Czech government’s decision to extend support is particularly notable ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for October 3–4. Former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who leads in the polls, has opposed arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Lipavský stated that the initiative has already proven effective, reducing the combat capability of Russian artillery by 500% and significantly shifting the firepower balance on the front line.

This marks the second year of Czech-led ammunition deliveries to Ukraine. In February 2024, Czech President Petr Pavel announced plans to procure roughly 800,000 shells — 500,000 of 155 mm caliber and 300,000 of 122 mm — from third countries.

The first deliveries were reported in June 2024. Ukraine received 50,000 rounds in July and August, and since September, monthly shipments have reached 80,000 to 100,000.

In the first quarter of 2025, Czechia delivered 400,000 shells. In April, Lipavský confirmed that existing funding would support uninterrupted deliveries at least through the fall of 2025.

In addition to the Czech-led initiative, Ukraine is receiving large quantities of new ammunition from other partners, particularly Rheinmetall.
The German defense company aims to reach an annual production of 1.1 million shells by 2027 to meet increasing demand from Ukraine, NATO allies, and other buyers.

A new Rheinmetall ammunition plant in Ukraine is also set to begin operations in 2026, as part of a broader effort to scale up artillery shell production.