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Ukrainian Armor, a domestic defense manufacturer, has begun licensed production of 105mm and 155mm artillery shells in Ukraine with technical support from Czech-based defense group Czechoslovak Group (CSG), according to a report by Militarnyi. The initiative, carried out under a formal licensing agreement signed in October 2024, provides Ukraine with access to production rights, manufacturing know-how, and key components from CSG. The move is part of a broader effort to expand Ukraine’s indigenous capability to supply NATO-standard ammunition for use in the ongoing war. As noted by CSG spokesperson Andrej Čírtek, the Czech company does not operate any production facilities in Ukraine. “CSG does not own any factory or production technology in Ukraine. Everything is operated by our partner, to whom we transferred the license and provided the necessary know-how, as they already had the required production capabilities and could launch manufacturing relatively quickly,” Čírtek said. Ukrainian Armor now produces artillery shell bodies locally and performs on-site filling, final assembly, and testing. The company is also responsible for the operation of the production line. CSG continues to supply critical high-tech components and offers ongoing technical support to ensure product quality, the report said. Initial annual production capacity is estimated at 100,000 rounds of 155mm ammunition and 50,000 rounds of 105mm shells. According to both companies, output is expected to multiply in the coming years as production scales up. “In the early stages, half of the production will be localized in Ukraine with the aim of reaching 80 percent self-sufficiency,” CSG said in a statement. “During the implementation of the project, the production of detonator components will also be gradually relocated to Ukraine.” This development follows a public statement made in late 2024 by Ukrainian Armor CEO Vladyslav Belbas, who told Militarnyi that the company had secured multiple licenses from CSG to begin domestic manufacturing of NATO-caliber tank and artillery ammunition. Ukraine’s growing domestic production of NATO-standard shells comes amid continued high demand for artillery on the battlefield and efforts by Kyiv to reduce reliance on external suppliers during protracted conflict. Both firms have emphasized that the program aims not only to meet current wartime needs but also to establish a scalable and sustainable defense manufacturing base in Ukraine.
