Solutions to win: Ukrainian forces upgrade arsenal with Colt rifles and PZD machine guns for assault operations

Colt Expanse M4 CE2000 Carbine. Photo: open sources

Alvina Kaminska

Ukrainian assault units will receive pistols, machine guns, and assault and sniper rifles from world-renowned manufacturers.

The Deputy Minister of Defense, Lieutenant General Ivan Gavryliuk, stated this.

What is the problem?

During the Russian-Ukrainian war, a mix of old and modern small arms were found on the battlefield. Surprisingly, it was discovered that a determined fighter wielding a machine gun from the early 1900s could be more impactful than someone lacking the desire to fight with modern equipment.

Nevertheless, Ukraine is gradually switching to Western weapons. According to the Ukrainian authorities, it already gives a certain parity with the Russian invasion forces.

Only the very fact that Ukraine has Western weapons is already critical for waging war. After all, in many respects, it is Soviet – it wears out, breaks, or is lost in battles, which happens continuously. Gradually, Ukraine should significantly rearm, but the speed, scale, and consistency of supplies from the West are essential.

Small arms play a vital role in the weaponry of any military force. This applies to both individual weapons, such as pistols and machine guns, as well as group weapons, like a machine gun.

What is the solution?

Therefore, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine issued registration certificates for 20 samples of foreign-made small arms.

They note that pistols, machine guns, and assault and sniper rifles made by well-known world manufacturers will strengthen the combat capabilities of Ukrainian units.

How does it work?

According to the deputy minister, these are products of world-famous manufacturers – Colt, Česká Zbrojovka, DSS, Heckler & Koch GmbH, and Browning.

"Among them, in particular, are Colt assault rifles and a PZD 556 machine gun," Gavryliuk said.

^{Photo: bosdefense.no}

The army has certified four 40-mm grenade launchers made in the USA, Türkiye, and Germany, as well as four types of night vision monoculars and binoculars produced in Czech, America, and France.

"Obtaining a registration certificate for foreign samples of weapons and military equipment allows you to purchase them and introduce them to the state's military units," the agency emphasized.

For reference:

On January 11, the European Commission announced that the European Union would be able to produce one million rounds of ammunition for Ukraine by the end of the winter of 2024.

In addition, the German defense concern Rheinmetall and the "Ukrainian Defense Industry" officially announced the creation of a joint venture to repair and maintain combat equipment transferred by Germany and other Western partners.

Also, the German arms company Rheinmetall is building a new plant to provide Ukraine with military support.

In turn, Ukraine and Belgium are also planning to create joint weapons production. Shortly, Finland will start the production of artillery ammunition for Ukraine.

In addition, Ukraine and Lithuania agreed on the joint production of drones and electronic warfare (EW). The joint-stock company "Ukrainian Defense Industry" has partnered strategically with four Lithuanian companies.

Recently, Poland and Ukraine agreed on the joint production of weapons: Warsaw has already allocated a loan for this.

In addition, Ukraine and the United States of America, as part of the FrankenSAM program, have created "hybrid" air defense systems that can launch modern Western-caliber anti-aircraft missiles from modernized Soviet launchers.