Czech Republic to provide Ukraine with helicopters and help train F-16 pilots

The Czech Republic will provide Ukraine with additional attack helicopters, large-calibre ammunition and help train F-16 fighter pilots.

This was stated by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala at a press conference with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Prague, as reported by Espreso.

Czech Republic will provide Ukraine with more attack helicopters

“The Czech Republic will provide Ukraine with more attack helicopters and hundreds of thousands of large-calibre ammunition, Prime Minister Petr Fiala said after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Straka Academy,” the statement said.

This decision will make it possible to urgently allocate 500 million euros from the EU budget to increase the production of ammunition and missiles.

“Our joint security, supply and, very importantly, joint production of weapons. Defence package. Economic cooperation. Joint work with third countries. Thank you for the solidarity with our country and people, for all the Czech support in our struggle for freedom”.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine

Long-term increase in ammo production in Europe

At the same time, a plan will be implemented to ensure a long-term increase in the production of ammunition in Europe for Ukraine and EU member states.

“With today’s record-breaking ASAP agreement, the EU will strengthen and accelerate its ammunition and missile production in Europe. This is further proof of the EU’s unwavering commitment to supporting Ukraine, strengthening the EU’s defence technology and industrial base and ultimately ensuring the long-term security and safety of EU citizens”, said Margarita Robles, the Defence Minister of Spain, the country currently holding the EU Council Presidency.

The EU Council and the European Parliament must now approve the agreement. It is expected to be signed and entered into force by the end of July.

As a reminder, the Ammunition Production Support Act is part of the EU’s plan to provide Ukraine with one million pieces of artillery ammunition over 12 months, proposed in March 2022.

The ASAP Regulation aims to strengthen the response and ability of the EU defence industry to ensure a timely supply of ammunition and missiles to Europe.

It includes, among other things, a mechanism to identify, monitor and better anticipate supply chain issues, financial support to strengthen EU industrial production capacity, and the introduction of a temporary regulatory framework to address the ammunition supply crisis.