There is information that one of the largest arms manufacturers in Europe, Czechoslovak Group (CSG), is negotiating with Ukroboronprom State Concern to organize joint production of artillery and tank ammunition as well as heavy equipment.
At the same time, CSG owner and CEO Michal Strnad stated that his conglomerate was ready to invest hundreds of millions of euros as well as to share relevant technologies on condition that agreement would be reached.
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This story looks promising because it is about possible organization of shell production in Ukraine. But, there are details that make this story even more promising in every sense.
According to CSG's official website, the conglomerate includes more than 100 companies with more than 10,000 employees. In turn, it is known that it includes not only defense companies, but also companies that supply civilian ammunition.
According to the information on the company's website, Czechoslovak Group includes two large companies. These are VOP Novaky state-owned enterprise as well as MSM GROUP company. Both are located in Slovakia.
It is known that in October 2023, representatives of the Czechoslovak Group confirmed the intention of Slovak defense companies to continue working with Ukraine, despite the changes in government in Slovakia, during talks with Ukrainian Armor company.
Another nuance in the story of the Czechoslovak Group's intentions may lie in issues with heavy equipment projects. After russia's full-scale invasion, this conglomerate supplied Ukraine with modernized T-72 main battle tanks.
It can be assumed that one of vectors of possible cooperation between CSG and Ukroboronprom could be the maintenance of Warsaw Pact equipment. Moreover, this conglomerate includes Excalibur Army company, which is a supplier of the 152 mm DANA-M2 self-propelled gun howitzer.
Earlier Defense Express reported that Belgian exotic squash-head munitions for Leopard 1A5 tanks had been spotted in Ukraine.
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