**Czech Weapons Giant Replaces Kalashnikov in Ukraine’s Army**
Ukraine’s military is slowly shifting away from Russian-made Kalashnikov rifles. A Czech company, Colt CZ, is leading the way.
Colt CZ has set up a factory inside Ukraine to assemble its Bren 2 assault rifle. The company calls it “Sich”, after a historical group of Ukrainian warriors.
The goal is to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on Soviet-era weapons and ammunition, which are still mainly produced in Russia and Belarus. Colt CZ wants to provide Ukraine with modern NATO-standard rifles and ammo.
**Transitioning from Soviet to NATO**
Ukraine has been slowly replacing its old artillery with new NATO-standard guns. The transition is taking time, but it shows a long-term Western commitment to supporting the country’s military.
Colt CZ’s Sich rifle can be easily converted between Soviet and NATO calibers. This means Ukrainian soldiers will be able to use both types of ammunition without having to change their rifles.
**Many Arms Giants Join In**
Several international arms companies have announced plans to build their products inside Ukraine, including Rheinmetall and Northrop Grumman. Colt CZ is one of the first to actually set up production in Ukraine.
The company has experience producing weapons under different governments and occupations, dating back to World War I.
**Today, Colt CZ Assembles 400 Rifles a Day**
In Ukrainian factories, Colt CZ now produces around 400 Bren 2 Sich rifles per day. The assembly lines are owned and staffed by the Ukrainian state-owned defense conglomerate, UkrOboronProm.
Colt CZ trains the local staff and leases out its assembly method to the Ukrainians. This is an arrangement that other international arms makers are starting to follow.
**”Gunpowder Diplomacy”**
The integration of Ukraine’s defense industry with NATO nations has been a long process. Foreign companies have been hesitant due to concerns about intellectual property, machine tools, and materials.
Colt CZ’s deal with UkrOboronProm has helped open up the Ukrainian market for domestic producers. This allows the country to buy from its own team and reduces reliance on foreign suppliers.
**A Diplomatic Process**
Colt CZ’s CEO, Bohac, is a former Czech diplomat who understands the importance of diplomacy in this process. He has worked closely with Ukrainian officials to bring about change.
The Colt CZ deal is not the first time Ukraine has tried to move its main rifles to NATO calibers. A previous rollout of a copy of the American M4 called the WAC-47 came to nothing in 2017.
**”Upper Tens of Thousands” of Rifles Produced**
Bohac declined to give an exact number, but said that tens of thousands of Sich rifles are already in Ukrainian hands and another tens of thousands will be assembled this year.
Colt CZ envisions expanding component manufacturing in Ukraine and producing other weapons like pistols and machine guns. They also plan to sell their products to other former Soviet states looking to replace their old rifles.
**A Beautiful Story**
Bohac hopes that the rearmament of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with Czech-made Sich rifles will be remembered as a beautiful story after decades.