The Czech Republic and Italy are strengthening cooperation in weapons production, particularly in the field of counter-drone systems.
According to a report by Czech Television's ČT24, the Italian arms manufacturer Fiocchi Munizioni, which has been part of the Czech holding company Czechoslovak Group (CSG) since last year, is supplying new products to the Italian military.
The company is currently testing specialized anti-drone ammunition. When fired, tungsten pellets disperse from the barrel, significantly increasing the probability of hitting a drone. These rounds can be used in standard assault rifles and are capable of neutralizing drones at distances of up to 200 meters, with an optimal range of 70–100 meters.
Such ammunition is considerably more expensive than standard rounds: tungsten costs around €300 per kilogram, compared to approximately €2 per kilogram for lead. This counter-drone solution is intended to complement traditional air defense systems rather than replace them.
The report emphasizes that the concept was inspired by the combat experience of the Ukrainian military.
Production is currently expected to reach several hundred thousand rounds, with plans to expand capacity in the future. The holding company is also seeking to promote its large-caliber ammunition on the Italian market.
CSG acquired Fiocchi last year and, following its acquisition of the American ammunition manufacturer The Kinetic Group, became the largest producer of small-caliber ammunition in the Western world.
Other countries are also showing interest in Czech defense products. Germany intends to purchase 200,000 pistols from Česká zbrojovka, with the first deliveries expected later this year.
