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The government of the Czech Republic intends to permit licensed production of BREN 2 assault rifles and their ammunition in Ukraine. As reported on the website of the Ministry of Defense of the Czech Republic, this possibility was discussed at the first-ever International Defense Industry Forum held in Ukraine last week, with participation from 41 foreign government officials and 252 companies from 30 countries.
Deputy Minister of Defense of the Czech Republic, Daniel Blazhkovets, specifically discussed ongoing joint projects with the Ukrainian side at various stages of development and explored possibilities for new areas of cooperation. Among the key projects is the transfer of production of the BREN 2 assault rifle from the facilities of the “Czech Armory” company to Ukraine, where the rifle will be produced under the brand “Sich.” Another significant project is the assistance in launching a production line for ammunition for these rifles, which will be overseen by Sellier & Bellot.
The publication Pravda notes that BREN 2 rifles have been in use in Ukraine since at least last summer, appearing in photos taken by military intelligence officers. BREN 2 rifles are also used by battalions of foreign volunteers, including Czechs. In 2015 and 2020, the Czech army purchased nearly 20,000 units of this weapon.
The rifle was developed based on the previous CZ 805 BREN model. It became lighter due to its frame being made from a single block of lightweight aerospace-grade aluminum, while the trigger, pistol grip, and magazine box are made of durable polymer. The rifle features a modular design, allowing for easy caliber changes from 5.56 mm to 7.62 mm. Depending on the application, it can also have different barrel lengths (and, accordingly, different effective shooting ranges and overall weapon weight).
In addition to licensed production of rifles and their ammunition, Blazhkovets discussed several other projects, such as cooperation in the production of armored vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, and the supply of special Tatra chassis. Prospective cooperation in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies also seems promising. In Ukraine, the Czech Republic could also assist in launching the production of high-caliber polymer-cased ammunition, which is an innovative solution in the face of raw material shortages for conventional metal-cased cartridges.
