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
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
-
![How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces]()
How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces
Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
![US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system]()
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
