Visegrad Group moves into collective procurement
Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are starting small with a joint move to buy training ammunition — but their ambitions are broader.
The so-called V4 Group (or Visegrad Group) of four NATO allies —the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia — have formally agreed to procure ammunition jointly for their armed forces.
National armaments directors from the four countries on 28 January signed a Letter of Intent, in which they stated that ammunition will be acquired via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.
The four countries initially want to buy more than 300,000 rounds of 9x19 FX (blue and red cartridge) small arms training ammunition.
As a next step, the Czech MoD noted on 2 February, an official request for co-operation will be sent to NSPA. Ammunition orders will then be despatched to individual MoDs.
Czech defence minister Lubomir Metnar signalled the move for joint defence equipment procurement in September 2019. At the time, he said: ‘We refrained from exaggerated ambitions and plans. We want to start with something real, and that is the joint purchase of ammunition.’
However, V4 members hope this initial project will serve as a springboard for more demanding procurement programmes in future.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US]()
Taiwan approved for purchase of $11 billion in weapons from US
The US State Department’s approval of a multi-billion-dollar sale of weapons to Taiwan includes tactical mission networks equipment, uncrewed aerial systems, artillery rocket systems and self-propelled howitzers as well as anti-tank guided missiles.
-
![US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry]()
US National Security Strategy prioritises advanced military capabilities and national industry
The 2025 NSS has emphasised investment in the US nuclear and air defence inventory and national industry, but it leaves multiple unanswered questions on how the White House will implement this approach.
-
![Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners]()
Canada set to look away from its neighbour and across the Atlantic for partners
While non-EU UK struggles to join the Security Action for Europe initiative, which provides loans for defence programmes, Canada has become the first country outside Europe to get access – and did so for a nominal fee.
-
![NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems]()
NATO experiments with solutions to integrate networks, AI and uncrewed systems
During the latest edition of the NATO DiBaX, the alliance tested multiple capabilities to inform requirements for future efforts.
