One of Ukraine’s biggest and most reliable arms suppliers, Excalibur Army company, has officially opened its representative office in Ukraine — a move set to boost local cooperation, streamline logistics, and launch joint defense manufacturing on Ukrainian soil. Thanks to the collaboration with the Ukrainian Armor company, Excalibur Army prepared the project for the local production of large caliber ammunition.
Part of the defense holding Czechoslovak Group (CSG), Excalibur Army has played a crucial role in supplying weapons and military equipment to Ukraine since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Excalibur Army has delivered more than thousand land systems, including tanks, IFVs, artillery systems and rocket launchers and over two million rounds of large caliber ammunition to Ukraine. With the new Kyiv-based office, the company aims to expand its presence and intensify cooperation with Ukrainian defense and industry partners.
Jan Kratky, Marketing Director at Excalibur Army, said: “We’ve stood with Ukraine since the first day of the full-scale invasion and we will stay as long as needed - and this step reflects our long-term commitment. The new office is not just symbolic; it’s a practical move to ensure faster decision-making, smoother logistics, and closer communication with our partners on the ground. Today we cannot disclose details about the production, however, our team here will work to ensure our technologies and solutions meet the real conditions of the battlefield.”
The Ukrainian office will handle orders, documentation, and technical consultations, allowing for significantly faster response time and more agile operations.
Shaping the future of European defense
Andrej Čírtek, Spokesperson at CSG, emphasized: “While more than two-thirds of our sales in 2024 were made in NATO countries, Ukraine has become one of the Czechoslovak Group's (CSG) most significant markets (contributing 42.8% of the company’s total revenue in 2024). However, Ukraine is not just a recipient of aid - it is shaping modern warfare. That’s why we are committed to a true partnership: one that involves technology transfer, licensing, and shared production. We see this not only as support for a partner in need, but as an investment in a safer, more resilient Europe.”
A cornerstone of the company’s activities in Ukraine will be joint production of artillery ammunition, including 155mm shells, launched in cooperation with the Ukrainian company Ukrainian Armor (ТОВ "Українська Бронетехніка"). The two sides signed a memorandum of cooperation in 2024, and are set to begin production in 2025 - a critical step toward domesticizing the supply of vital munitions.
Director of Ukrainian Armor, Vladyslav Belbas, noted: “This partnership is a breakthrough - not just for our company, but for the country. We are proud to contribute directly to Ukraine’s defense capability by producing ammunition here, in Ukraine. Thanks to our Czech partners, we now have access to decades of expertise, advanced technologies, and licensed solutions. We’re ready to supply over 100,000 rounds of different types of 155mm ammunition and 50,000 rounds of 105mm ammunition as soon as we receive a state order. It’s a large-scale NATO-standard ammunition program that brings licensed production of multiple calibers to Ukraine. At launch, over 50% of production will be localized, with plans to reach 80%, while our Czech partners guarantee the supply of critical components - a game-changer for Ukraine’s defense industry.”
“But beyond numbers,” he added, “this project creates jobs for Ukrainian engineers, fuels our defense industry, and strengthens the economy during wartime. This is about victory - and building the foundation for the country’s postwar recovery.”
About the CSG Group
The global industrial-technological group CSG is owned by Czech entrepreneur Michal Strnad. It delivers technologies worldwide that contribute to a safer and more stable future. The group focuses on the development and production of strategically vital products, systems, and technologies in the defense, aerospace, automotive, and other sectors. With key manufacturing facilities in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, Italy, India, the UK, and the USA, CSG exports its products globally. CSG continues to invest in the development of its companies while expanding its core business operations. Its key subsidiaries include Czech automotive manufacturer Tatra Trucks, Slovak ammunition producer MSM Group, U.S.-based small-caliber ammunition manufacturer The Kinetic Group, and Czech radar manufacturer Eldis. The group’s mission is to develop and manufacture strategic technologies essential for defending core civilizational values. CSG employs over 14,000 people across its integrated and affiliated companies. CSG’s revenue, including a full-year contribution from The Kinetic Group in 2024, reached EUR 5.2 billion. The group’s consolidated revenue was EUR 4 billion.
About Excalibur Army
Founded in 1995, Excalibur Army spol. s r.o. is the largest defense industry company in the Czech Republic and a key member of the Czechoslovak Group (CSG). With a focus on the development, production, and modernization of ground-based military equipment, the company has grown into a major global supplier of weapons systems, vehicles, and ammunition. In 2024, Excalibur Army reported turnover of USD 2.7 billion, driven primarily by international exports. With its main production facility in the Czech town of Sternberk, Excalibur Army continues to invest in production capacity, R&D, and strategic partnerships to deliver advanced, combat-proven solutions for modern defense needs.
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