Over 70% of Czech artillery shells now go to Ukraine, says arms industry chief

Over 70% of Czech military exports—mainly large-caliber artillery ammunition—are now being exported to Ukraine, according to Jiří Hynek, President and Executive Director of the Defense and Security Industry Association of the Czech Republic. He made the statement during a defense conference in Brno, held on 24 September.

Czech arms exports may hit 100 billion koruna in 2025

České noviny reported that Hynek said that Czech military exports could reach 100 billion koruna ($4.8 billion) this year. But he emphasized that the growth seen in recent years is unlikely to continue much further. In 2024, Czech military exports surged by 86% year-over-year, reaching approximately 91 billion koruna ($4.3 billion), according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s annual report.

Industry leader warns of looming constraints

“There is great optimism, exports are still growing,” Hynek told Czech News Agency ČTK. “But we must recognize that most of it ends up in Ukraine. In the case of artillery shells, I am convinced there is little room left for growth.”

He cited a lack of inputs from the chemical industry as a key limiting factor for further artillery production.

“There is room for exports to grow in other sectors,” he said.