Germany joins Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine

German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit pledged to support the Czech initiative in the purchase of 800,000 artillery shells for Ukraine.

The government is contributing a "three-digit million-dollar sum" to the purchase and doesn't disclose more details. 

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the state would join the Czech initiative and seek funding for the project.

During the Munich Security Conference on February 17, Czech President Petr Pavel said his state had identified 500,000 155 mm and 300,000 122 mm shells that could be delivered within weeks if money was available.

Czechia could transfer the shells in a matter of weeks if it secures funding from the United States, Germany, Sweden, and other allies. The initiative has already been supported by Canada with its $23 million allocation, Netherlands with €100 million, Belgium with €200 million, and Lithuania.

So far, 15 states support the purchase of ammunition for Ukraine outside of the EU. In recent months, the bloc has significantly increased its ammunition production and will bring this capacity to 1 million rounds per year in March this year and 2 million in 2025.