{"id":68205,"date":"2024-03-20T16:04:10","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T16:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2024\/03\/20\/czech-led-bulk-ammunition-buy-for-ukraine-picks-up-steam\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T01:04:29","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T01:04:29","slug":"czech-led-bulk-ammunition-buy-for-ukraine-picks-up-steam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/global\/europe\/2024\/03\/20\/czech-led-bulk-ammunition-buy-for-ukraine-picks-up-steam\/","title":{"rendered":"Czech-led bulk ammunition buy for Ukraine picks up steam"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

MILAN \u2013 A proposed Czech-led bulk artillery ammunition purchase for Ukraine is picking up steam, as countries commit to bank-rolling the effort while sourcing shells from non-European vendors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Czech President Petr Pavel said in February that Prague had identified 500,000 155mm artillery shells and 300,000 122mm rounds outside the European Union that could be sent to Ukraine if necessary funds were secured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after this announcement, over a dozen countries joined the mission, contributing millions of dollars. So far, Pavel\u2019s government has succeeded at gathering the support of almost 20 other allies, Canada, Germany, France, Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking at a March 19 meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany, German Defense Minister Borius Pistorius said Berlin would pay for 180,000 rounds. Defense officials in Berlin declined to put a price tag on the commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\t