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Czech Republic Considers Sending Military Equipment to Ukraine

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Czech Army has a lot of so far used weaponry to be changed / Photo credit: Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic
Czech Army has a lot of so far used weaponry to be changed / Photo credit: Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic

Czech Republics’ Defense Minister Jana Cernochova stated that the new Czech government wanted to help Ukraine amid the escalating situation at the borders with Russia

As Cernochova said in an interview with Czech daily Hospodářské noviny “The Czech Republic is historically, politically and in terms of alliances on Ukraine’s side. If Ukraine needs help, we will do our best to help.”

Czech Republic Considers Sending Military Equipment to Ukraine, Defense Express
Defense Minister of the Czech Republic Jana Černochová reaffirmed the Czech government's readiness to supply Ukraine with military / Photo credit: Jana Černochová

At the same time, the minister noted that the supply of arms or ammunition to Ukraine should be coordinated with other countries, including Visegrad countries, Germany, Austria or the Baltic states.

Read more: ​Ukrainian and US Intelligence Indicates Russia Preparing Operation to Justify Invasion of Ukraine

As Hospodářské noviny reported, Černochová is currently negotiating with the Czech Army Chief Aleš Opata about the possible needs of Ukraine.

Czech Republic Considers Sending Military Equipment to Ukraine, Defense Express
Czech Republic to remove so far used infantry fighting vehicles BVP-2 from service / Photo credit: army.cz

Moreover, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Lieutenant General Valerii Zaluzhnyi is expected to come to Prague soon.

At the same time, the Czech army will send six members of its special forces to Ukraine for a joint exercise ‘Silver Sabre 2022’ in late February or early March. The exercise takes place under NATO’s plan to develop the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Czech Republic Considers Sending Military Equipment to Ukraine, Defense Express
Czech Army military acquisitions for 2021 to reach over EUR 954 Mln / Photo credit: Ministry of Defence of the Czech Republic

One should remember that the Czech defense industry has been present in Ukraine for years - delivering munitions or BMP-1 IFVs. In 2020 Ukraine awarded contract to Excalibur Army for 26 Dana M2 howitzers, ammunition, and maintenance/support, with the Czech Excalibur Army company. In 2021 Ukrainian army successfully tested Excalibur Army’s Dana-M2 gun system.

Excalibur Army’s Dana-M2 gun system successfully passed 18 tests in Ukraine / Photo credit: Defense Express

The Czech Tatra company supplies Ukraine with carrier platforms for its latest rocket systems, such as Neptun or Vilkha. The words expressed by the head of the Czech MoD are more than just mere political declarations. They shall be viewed as an element of broad cooperation that has been a long-term undertaking.

Czech Republic Considers Sending Military Equipment to Ukraine, Defense Express
Mineral-U - mobile functional target designation radar complex on the Tatra chassis / Photo credit: Defense Express

As Defense Express reported, U.S. State Department have allowed Baltic states to send U.S.-made missiles and weapons to Ukraine.

At the same time British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace announced that Great Britain had begun supplying Ukraine with new light anti-tank weapons in response to “the increasingly threatening behaviour from Russia”.

Czech Republic Considers Sending Military Equipment to Ukraine, Defense Express
Czech army will send six members of its special forces to Ukraine for a joint exercise ‘Silver Sabre 2022’ in late February or early March

Earlier Ukrainian and US intelligence indicates Russia preparing operation to justify invasion of Ukraine. At the same time USA approves additional $200 mln in security aid to Ukraine and together with NATO alliance members working over supplying Stinger missiles to Ukraine in addition to the American military assistance that is already flowing to Kyiv.

Read more: A New Russia-West Cold War Becomes Hot: Battle for Ukraine and for Common Sense