Ammunition for Ukraine, to be purchased through the Czech initiative, will not reach the front lines until June

Ammunition purchased in non-EU countries through the Czech initiative may only reach the Ukrainian battlefields in June, according to Tomas Fiala, an advisor to the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic. However, earlier reports suggested that delivery would take only a few weeks, but the timelines are now being pushed back. Additionally, the origin of the ammunition also raises questions, as there are very few surplus ammunition stocks worldwide and few countries ready to supply in peace. Euractiv reports on the prospects of these deliveries.

In February, the Czech Republic proposed purchasing ammunition for Ukraine from third countries in response to the EU’s lack of ammunition production capacity. Since then, it has received support from several European countries willing to finance purchases. A total of up to 800,000 rounds of ammunition of various calibers are planned to be purchased. Currently, more than 15 countries have pledged to finance the ammunition purchases. These include Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France and Norway, as well as non-European allies such as Canada. While the Czech Republic identifies available ammunition worldwide, other countries provide necessary funding. Then, the Czech Republic will coordinate the delivery to the Ukrainian battlefields.

According to Fiala, the purchase of 300,000 rounds of ammunition has been confirmed, and an additional 200,000 rounds have been promised. The goal is to deliver the ammunition to Ukraine this year. “I don’t want to promise the impossible because even in an ideal situation, it will take months to successfully deliver the material to the front lines, where it is most needed,” Fiala said during a conference. Details were provided in an interview by Tomas Pojar, an advisor on national security to the Czech Republic and an advisor to the Prime Minister. “Starting from June, deliveries may begin,” he added. Pojar refused to disclose the origin of the ammunition, stating that the initiative aims to find ammunition worldwide “wherever they are available at a reasonable price and acceptable quality.”